Pubdate: Thu, 17 Mar 2016 Source: Orange County Register, The (CA) Copyright: 2016 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321 POT SHOP RAIDERS CHARGED It only took 10 months, but three Santa Ana police officers have been charged in connection with a raid at Sky High Holistic, a marijuana dispensary accused of operating without a city permit. This is the dispensary where, last May, a hidden security camera that went unnoticed recorded police officers dismantling surveillance equipment, playing darts, making derogatory remarks about an amputee bystander and, it was then alleged, helping themselves to some edible marijuana products. As it turns out, according to press release from the District Attorney's Office, the officers did not eat any marijuana-laced treats but instead "are accused of entering the break room and taking snacks available to staff, including Detour Simple protein bars and Mrs. Thinsters cookies." Those snacks apparently didn't contain marijuana, and there is "no evidence that any SAPD personnel consumed any edible marijuana items available at the dispensary," stated the press release. Neither the district attorney nor the Police Department would comment on whether any of the officers were drug tested. Instead, the three officers were each charged with one count of petty theft of the cookies and snacks, and one officer was accused of vandalism for destroying already-disabled camera equipment. All the charges are misdemeanors, which, according to the Register, carry a "maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine" for petty theft and upward of "18 months in jail and a $2,000 fine" for the vandalism charge. We remain skeptical about why it took almost a year to file charges that amount to a legal slap on the wrist, and we note that all three officers remain on paid leave. However, some acknowledgement that laws appeared to be broken by police is better than nothing. While on duty, police officers should be accountable to those they serve, and news of the charges provides a modicum of satisfaction. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom