First, this seems like a sweetheart deal handed out by Steve Wagstaffe to a COP. A police officer should know that stealing a trumpet from a professional musician is equivalent to putting him out of work. This crime deserved a stiff punishment. One year in jail. A policeman is more culpable than the average citizen for something like this.

But the $64,000 question is not answered by this article: PLEASE tell me this crook has been fired as a sheriff’s deputy, and can never be a policeman again.

Editor's note: This has been added to the story: Mr. Hatt is no longer employed as a deputy in San Mateo County. "He doesn't work for us any more. He hasn't worked for us for a long time," Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt said. "Because it's a personnel matter, I'm not able to go into the question as to how or why he doesn't work for us."

Whoa:

They can't tell you if he's been fired due to the Police Officers Bill of Rights protecting his privacy. But I can tell you he has been convicted of a felony. Felons are not allowed to possess firearms in California which pretty much guarantees he can't work as a police officer.

That is right. He can not longer carry a gun or be a peace officer in Calif. He should have lots of fun in jail, even if it is a short period.

SteveC:

he'll spend 30 days in protective custody. Not so bad.

The mandated restitution to the victim seems insufficient.

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?