Should there be a minimum age for police officers? There is no doubt many 21-year-olds are not mature enough to handle such a stressful and important job. This is one of those instances.
A New Jersey police officer has been removed from street duty and is facing drunken driving charges after he allegedly drove a red pickup truck through three street signs, struck a building, and knocked down a neon sign. As reported in www.philly.com.
William A. Grasso, 21, was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. The crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. He was off-duty at the time of the accident. Is he mature enough to be a police officer?
The officer has been taken off the street and relieved of police powers as the facts of this incident are ascertained. There exists the very-real possibility that he will lose his job if convicted. The facts make his case look bleak at best.
The accident occurred after Grasso's truck hopped a curb in the traffic circle median, struck two road signs, and went back onto the road before hopping another curb. Grasso's truck then plowed into another road sign before ramming into the liquor store sign.
After striking the sign, Grasso's truck hit part of a brick retaining wall and, finally, a tree.
Grasso was injured in the accident and was taken to the hospital bleeding and suffering from head trauma. He is also the second member of the Camden County Police Department to run afoul of authorities in Cherry Hill while off-duty. Back in May, a lieutenant who led the department's narcotics unit allegedly exposed himself at a Starbucks.
I would like to see Grasso get a second chance. Perhaps after taking a 24 hour online alcohol class, he can return to being a helpful protector of society.