Jim Alderden, Ballon Boy Sheriff, Admits He May Have Misled Media: Was He Justified?

The Fort Collins Coloradoan:

During the last two decades, the two largest law enforcement agencies in Fort Collins have deceived the public and media during investigations into high-profile cases, a tactic that has ethicists and criminologists questioning integrity standards.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden on Sunday told the world he deliberately misled the public when he said two days earlier he thought the Heene family was sincere when they reported to authorities their 6-year-old son Falcon was floating above Northern Colorado in an experimental balloon.

Read the whole story: The Fort Collins Coloradoan

Comments

[hapiday]

I wonder if this warrants saying the police acted stupidly?

[jdrourke]

Maybe the Sheriff and Richard Heene are having an affair...

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/better-step-back-balloon-boy/

[balancedsolution]

Hey, the Shrub administration lied to the media the whole time it was in office.

This is just part of being in power.

[slarabee]

The Police lie? Say it aint so!

[ibsteve2u]

In my opinion, there are times - such as when attempting to flush a dangerous fugitive out, when concealing details of a crime so that those who falsely declare their guilt can be weeded out, or to avoid disclosing information that might cause the suspect to dispose of critical evidence - when lying by the police is justified.

Does this case meet that criteria? Hard to say...the sheriff may have been concerned that the family would make the child disappear permanently if they feared exposure.

I cannot think of any other reason that would justify lying in this case.