A former police officer and a former state trooper were charged in separate, unconnected cases this week. At least 29 women's phones were allegedly searched.

Summary

Two former Missouri police officers, Julian Alcala and David McKnight, were charged in separate federal cases for illegally searching women’s phones during traffic stops to obtain explicit images.

Alcala, formerly with Florissant police, faces 20 counts of deprivation of rights for allegedly taking nude photos and videos from phones and deleting evidence.

McKnight, an ex-Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, faces nine similar counts.

At least 29 women’s phones were allegedly searched.

Both men resigned after investigations began. The FBI urges victims to report misconduct by officers. The cases are unconnected.

    • magnetosphere@fedia.io
      4·
      6 days ago

      Yeah, that seems like the best explanation. In that case, I’d like to add “reprehensible” to my other insults.

      • capital_sniff@lemmy.world
        3·
        6 days ago

        Also this should go on their permanent record. So they are never allowed to be in any position of authority anywhere again.

        • magnetosphere@fedia.io
          3·
          6 days ago

          That would be nice, but in America, I’m not sure there’s anything like a permanent record for cops.

          • capital_sniff@lemmy.world
            3·
            6 days ago

            There’s a permanent record for everybody that went to school in America. I remember it was drilled into us at a young age, that this or that could end up on our permanent record.

            And if there isn’t one for cops and other positions of authority there should be one. Make it a phone app.