The horrifying security video footage--of a fifteen-year-old girl beaten, while in custody, by King County Sheriff Deputy Paul Schene--that was released on Friday, thank god, has raised more than just local hackles: Schene is now under a civil rights federal investigation for his unbelievably irresponsible actions in that holding cell. Aside from the ongoing internal Sheriff's Office investigative findings and whatever disciplinary action will (we hope) weigh heavily on Schene's head as a consequence, the man now faces a $250,000 fine and a possible five years in prison if he's found guilty on this federal civil rights charge. more ›

John Calkins, the police chief of Pacific, Wash., was arrested last night on suspicion of driving under the influence. Calkins was pulled over in Bonney Lake after a citizen called 911 to report a possible drunk driver. The chief claimed he couldn't take a roadside breathalyzer test because of a "medical condition involving his throat." We are familiar with his condition, we believe its scientific name is bullshit. To us, this sounds distinctly like an excuse only a fellow cop could get away with after being pulled over soused. Thin blue line, indeed. more ›