Thugs Among Us

I (state your name) swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of (name your state), and support the constitution and laws thereof; and I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office of law enforcement officer according to the Constitution and laws of the state.

These stories are based on information that was either experienced or learned from fellow members of the Baltimore Police Department. The intent is to share with the readers that bad apples that can be found in any organization. The names have been changed to protect the innocent and the police officers who are presently in the ranks of the Baltimore Police Department. The Baltimore Police Department is full of rich history that dates back to March 16, 1845. Past and present members like my own son should walk with their heads held high and be proud to say I work for or retired from one of the greatest police departments. Stand tall brothers and sisters; stand tall.

I, Sergeant Jose A. Rosado, retired after nearly thirty years of dedicated service to the Baltimore Police Department and to the citizens of Baltimore, Maryland. I was the most senior Hispanic officer in the agency and had numerous assignments, which included the Patrol Division, instructor in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (DARE), the Aviation Unit, Education and Training Division, Command Investigations, and Internal Affairs Division. This book is dedicated to the many police officers who have always stood on the side of integrity and have devoted their careers and their lives to doing the right thing.

I suspect that by reading the title alone you must be thinking that this book is based on the criminal activity of what civilians and cops refer to as the common thug. This book goes beyond that. You’ll get down and dirty reading this book. I’ll tell you about crimes committed by thugs not commonly written or spoken about—the thugs among us: real stories of real cops who turned dirty and committed dirty deeds. Again, I’ve changed names to protect the innocent. These cops are no better than the criminals that the honest cops arrest on a daily basis. There comes a time when every man needs to stand up and tell the truth. “The truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). No written policy or unwritten rule can stop the truth from rising to the top. I’ll tell you about crimes committed by thugs not commonly written or spoken about- the thugs among us: real stories of real cops who decided to cross the line and break rules and commit crimes that embarrass honest, hardworking cops like you and me.

After nearly thirty years of service with the Baltimore Police Department, I retired with a heavy heart and a clean soul. During my tenure, I witnessed the aftermath of thug cops. I investigated them while in command investigations and in Internal Affairs Division. For those of you who are police officers, these thug cops are the same police officers who stood to your right and to your left, in front of you and back of you during the academy graduation ceremony and raised their right hands and swore by means of the oath of office to uphold the law and stand up for the truth, protect the innocent, and serve all people. Some of those same police officers failed us all. The Baltimore  Police Department is 3,300 strong. Of those officers, 99 percent are hardworking and dedicated to their careers, the city, and its people. The 1 percent that has failed us is the thug cop. These cops are the ones who slapped our department, other officers, and their own families in the face by violating the oath of office.