Publicity ploy creates a storm January 10, 2009 - 12:33AM

Don't bother trying to figure out who came out looking the best after a former drug enforcer tricked Odessa police officers into raiding what turned out to be a phony "grow house." There was plenty of tarnish to go around for both sides after what amounted to a publicity stunt.

Seems a former law enforcement officer by the name of Barry Cooper orchestrated the "sting" under the banner of Kopbusters, what was described as a planned reality television show designed to uncover police corruption. Cooper's stated intent was to show how authorities will cut corners to make drug cases. Specifically, Cooper apparently chose Odessa for two reasons. First of all, he used to work here as a narc. Secondly, the former cop said he was hired by Odessan Raymond Madden, who is trying to prove that his daughter, Yolanda Madden, was set up when she was arrested and convicted of selling drugs.

Cooper wanted to demonstrate how flimsy evidence can be used to conduct drug investigations. The false lead came in the form of an anonymous letter informing authorities that marijuana was being grown in an Odessa residence. Drug agents took the bait and obtained a search warrant for the house, only to be videotaped once they entered the residence as they discovered they had been scammed.

A point was made.

It does seem sort of scary that an anonymous tip, with no eye-witness verification of any sort, could be used to get a search warrant. Police did say officers checked out the house to verify details that were mentioned in the anonymous letter. But, in theory, any law-abiding person could be set up in the same manner and find the cops barging into his or her home with little or no probable cause. On the other hand, the tactics used by Cooper and Kopbusters to set up the scenario aren't very palatable. Nobody's owning up to writing the phony letter (that was funneled through a clergyman), but it doesn't take a super sleuth to suspect its origin. So there aren't a lot of style points being made on that side of the controversy.

At the same time, reaction at the Odessa Police Department leaves a bit to be desired, too.

Coverage in this newspaper and its website, oaoa.com, has generated a lot of reader feedback. And when authorities started talking about subpoenas to investigate the identities of those who were posting comments on the website, it only raised more questions about the cops' respect for constitutional protections such as freedom of speech. Perhaps an investigation, preferably by an outside agency, should be conducted into the Madden case since the conduct of the arresting officers has been called into question. If there is a possibility an innocent person was sent to prison, that would seem more worthy of scrutiny than trying to track down anonymous web posters.All in all, this has been sad commentary - a staged "news story," embarrassed and mad officials, blustering from a lot of folks and not a whole lot of honor shown on either side.

The weekly Question: Do you think the Kopbusters publicity stunt raises legitimate concerns about the Odessa Police Department?

Yes No 79% 21% Mlm:

The stunt was a complete failure for anyone with a brain. The OPD may have problems but the drug house stunt was pure smoke and mirrors.

They expect people to believe they did not write the letter that triggered the raid. They expect people to believe they just ‘put out the word' and would be willing to wait months or years for their trap to be sprung by OPD. Only a moron would buy that. The upside is the light they have shed on our eroding freedoms in the USA.

dnnharmon: Why doesn't the chief of police pull in outside investigators like maybe the FBI or Texas Rangers to investigate this whole thing. It is very obvious that there is a climate of corruption in the OPD. My opinion may not matter, but I am a taxpayer and I believe that everyday innocent people are sent to jail as scapegoats to protect those in our judicial system who are not honest.. Wake up Odessa, WE HAVE A PROBLEM !!!!!!!

golwis: Publicity stunt? What respectful editor would allow a question like this to be used in a supposedly unbiased forum? It should read "Do you think the Kopbusters sting raises legitimate concerns about the Odessa Police Department? and the answer ought to be a resounding yes. It doesn't only raise a question, it raises a serious concern and not only about the Odessa Police Department but about every police department in the nation. The only powers that the police in this country may legitimately exercise are powers granted them by the constitution of the United States, that is, powers granted them by the people. If the people don't watch the police, how can they be sure that the police aren't exercising powers NOT granted to them? If the police can legitimately conduct sting operations to catch people doing things that are wrong, then the people can legitimately and should conduct sting operations against the police.

on.devil.sand: The actions of the PUBLIC WORKERS ALSO KNOWN AS ODESSA, TEXAS, POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS disgust me. This is still the United States of America despite what they might believe. They need to clean up their act.