Blogging for Freedom

Current and former law enforcement members have organized against the Drug War.  Called LEAP for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, they are committed to educating the public about the corruption, failure and waste that is really the US War on People.  Everyone interested in justice may join. The following is text from an email their membership staff sent when I joined.

Help publicize LEAP .

Imagine the impact on the media and the policymakers when LEAP boasts of worldwide membership of thousands of law enforcement officials—all voicing their objection to US drug war policies.

Alert law enforcement folks to LEAP’s website at www.leap.cc so they can learn the truth about the harms perpetrated on society by drug prohibition and about how to replace prohibition with drug control and regulation.

Many current and former members of law enforcement think as we do but do not know of our existence. They hesitate to even speak to their peers about their views fearing being labeled “soft on drugs.”

Tell them they are not alone, LEAP is here to support them. Moreover, thinking the war on drugs is a failure that must be stopped is the majority opinion—even within law enforcement. If we end prohibition, not one more police officer need be killed while sustaining this failed US policy of a war on drugs.

Tell them of our powerful and respected Board of Directors:

The Honorable Larry Campbell, Mayor of Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada (former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who served four years in their narcotic bureau)

Mr. Peter J. Christ, Treasurer of LEAP, Retired Captain, Town of Tonawanda Police Department , New York , USA

Mr. Jack A. Cole, Executive Director of LEAP, Retired Detective Lieutenant, who served 14 years in the narcotic bureau of the New Jersey State Police, USA

The Honorable Warren W. Eginton, US District Court Judge, Bridgeport , Connecticut , USA

Mr. Edward Ellison, former Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational head of Narcotic Units for Scotland Yard, London Metropolitan Police, England, United Kingdom

Mr. John A. Gayder, Secretary of LEAP, Currently a Constable with a police department in Ontario , Canada

The Honorable Gustavo de Grieff, former Attorney General of Colombia, South America, and their Ambassador to Mexico

The Honorable Gary E. Johnson, former Governor of the State of New Mexico , USA

The Honorable John L. Kane, US District Court Judge, Denver , Colorado , USA

The Honorable Whitman Knapp, (Deceased) US District Court Judge, Manhattan , New York , USA

Sheriff Bill Masters, Sheriff of San Miguel County , Colorado , USA

Dr. Joseph McNamara, former New York City Police Officer and Chief of Police for Kansas City, Missouri and San Jose, California Police Departments, US

Mr. Patrick V. Murphy, former Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, USA

The Honorable Eleanor Schockett, Recruiting Director for LEAP, Retired Circuit Court Judge, Miami‑Dade County , Florida , USA

Mr. Eric Sterling, President, Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, Washington, DC, USA (a principal aide in developing the US Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and the Anti‑Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988)

The Honorable Robert W. Sweet, US District Court Judge, Manhattan , New York , USA

Mr. Francis Wilkinson , former Chief Constable of Gwent Police Department, South Wales, United Kingdom

Mr. Howard J. Wooldridge, Media Director for LEAP, Retired Detective, Bath Township Police Department , Michigan , USA

Follow the progress of the war on drugs and our work to end prohibition at http://www.leap.cc/news/index.htm. Write letters to the editors and reporters of local and national newspapers and magazines about LEAP and our goals. Correct bad articles about drug policy and thank them for good articles. Explain that although we will primarily focus on United States policy, this organization can affect drug policy around the world since many policies in other countries are shaped and driven by pressures from the US . Be sure to CC info@leap.cc on emails you send and forward attachments to info@leap.cc of any documents you mail. It helps us justify ourselves when we ask for funding.Contact your elected representatives and tell them an organization of current and former members of law enforcement exists that opposes the war on drugs because in over 30 years it has done nothing but add to the problems of our citizens; an organization that wants to advance alternative policies of drug regulation and control that will save lives, reduce disease, lower addiction rates, lessen crime, and conserve tax dollars, by ending drug prohibition.

Copy the LEAP Brochure and Mission Statement that are attached to this message and distribute them to members of law enforcement and policy makers.

Help us schedule LEAP presentations and testimonies.

LEAP is an international educational organization. LEAP supplies articulate former drug-warriors to speak out against the war on drugs to schools, civic and fraternal organizations and testify before legislators. You can help us by asking organizations you belong to if they will book us for a presentation. Direct them to our web site or tell them they can contact us at speakers@leap.cc or info@leap.cc .

Donate to LEAP monetarily or with services.

LEAP is a tax exempt nonprofit corporation under the US Tax Code 501 (c)(3). No one in LEAP receives any payment for services. We are volunteers. However, funds are needed for transportation and lodging to send our speakers to the various venues mentioned.

Donation checks should be made out to “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Educational Fund” and mailed to Jack A. Cole, LEAP, 27 Austin Road , Medford , MA 02155 . Donations can also be made on our web site at http://www.leap.cc/donate.htm using PayPal.

If you wish to help LEAP with services we need to know where you live and in what areas of your experience you would feel comfortable assisting us. Please reply to info@leap.cc or contact Jack Cole at 781-393-6985 or send snail mail to Jack A. Cole, 27 Austin Road , Medford , MA 02155 .

Thanks for your interest. We at LEAP are looking forward to working with you to end the horrors of the war on drugs and renew and deepen respect for the honorable profession of policing that has been severely weakened by the role police have been forced to play in enforcing drug prohibition laws. Together we can make a better and safer society by serving it in a more efficient and ethical manner.