Rape (not rape): 4 thoughts from the NYPD sex bribery scandal

Two former NYPD detectives, both male, received probation for “misconduct and receiving a bribe after the pair said they had sex with an 18-year-old [female] drug suspect in the back of a police vehicle in exchange for releasing her.”

They had initially faced rape charges, but prosecutors dropped them. They are, however, facing a $50 million civil suit from the victim.

She had been pulled over by the cops and was in possession of marijuana. They took her into their van, and took turns having sex with her, while the other was driving. Then they released her.

So they either forcibly had sex with her, that is, raped her, or she offered sex, a bribe, to make the matter go away.

Four thoughts came to my head:

1. Good thing for the cops that the victim wasn’t 17. Then they would be “pedophiles.” Of course, they probably checked that at the beginning. But it still amazes how one day on a calendar can flip the script from poor little girl to evil temptress.

2. How is this not sexual coercion or sexual assault of some kind? The young woman was being detained, allegedly handcuffed, in a police vehicle. So what if she’s the one who proposed sex for her release, or said something along the lines of “I’ll do anything.” She had zero leverage and zero power.

3. I have to wonder if these kinds of sexual “bribes,” i.e., rapes, have been commonplace in police departments…