Only In Spotsylvania...

I swear I can't make this stuff up. From CNN.com

SPOTSYLVANIA, Virginia (AP) -- A Virginia sheriff said Friday he will no longer allow detectives to receive sexual services while investigating suspected prostitution.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff Howard Smith made the announcement after his officers spent $1,200 at massage parlors last month and sparked a public outcry.

Smith defended the practice as necessary to obtain a conviction but told his department he was suspending it...

So, officers in this town pay for sex, receive sex, and after a few sessions to be absolutely sure they are paying for sex, bust them.

Anyone else see a problem with this?

I first heard this while watching CNN and eating lunch. I was thinking about my book when this piece caught my attention. The sheriff defended this practice by saying (I'm paraphrasing from memory) that he doesn't use married officers...

Oh, well does that makes it less offensive, immoral or, uh, illegal?

And (paraphrasing again) that it's the exact same thing as buying dope to bust the drug dealers. NO IT'S NOT. I mean, Hello! When they buy the drugs, the officers are required to turn the drugs in as evidence, not use them for their own pleasure.

Wonder if this Sheriff will be reelected?