Tales From the Front by Cheryl Lavin

Just who are the boys in blue protecting? And who's getting serviced?

According to Steven Levitt, co-author of "Superfreakonomics," a prostitute in Chicago is more likely to have sex with a cop than be arrested by one. Hookers, he says, routinely give away freebies to avoid going to jail. Now here's what some Chicago cops had to say ...

Jack: I'm a retired Chicago policeman, and I'd like to know where Steve got his info. I know that many prostitutes offer sex to get out of being arrested, but I don't know any cops who take them up on it. I know of one cop who was accused of it, but when Internal Affairs investigated, the prostitute changed her story repeatedly and the dates and times she gave when it supposedly happened were days he was off or not working that shift.

I was propositioned a few times and always said no. The prostitutes would always say that other cops did it, but they could never remember the names of any of them. I don't think the risking getting fired or catching an STD is worth it, and I think most police officers feel the same way.

Tom: I'm a police officer, and I'd like to see where this bozo (Levitt) gets his information. I don't see him getting cops to admit this, and should anyone really believe cracked-out prostitutes from Chicago's streets? In over 17 years on the force, I haven't had an encounter with a prostitute and don't know of any other officer who would risk his health and the health of his family to have sex with a prostitute.

And believe me — there's no enticement there.

It's not like the movies or TV. These "girls" should actually pay people to have sex with them!

Jerry: I'm a police officer. I won't say it's a common practice for cops to sleep with hookers, but I know it has happened with a few officers I've worked with. There's no excuse for it, and I personally see it as a predatory relationship, because the officer — as a law enforcement authority — is holding all the cards, and is clearly taking advantage of women (or men) who have often been victims of sexual abuse themselves.

Lots of prostitutes are utilized as informants. Their time in the street makes them witness to countless criminal acts, and their knowledge is valuable to law enforcement in their efforts to control drugs and violent crime.

A good cop is only as good as his informants. But if an officer finds he needs to sleep with informants or arrestees, then he needs to find a different line of work. Compromising the oath and your respective law enforcement agency is a road no smart cop wants to travel, and some officers have been imprisoned for such acts.

Ronnie: I once knew a Chicago police officer who was assigned to the old station at 11th and State. He told me every hooker he stopped would give him oral sex in lieu of an arrest.

Have you changed something fundamental about yourself for your partner? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems to cheryllavin@aol.com. You can visit her blog at www.talesfromthefront.com. To find out more about Cheryl Lavin, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

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