Civil Forfeiture Seminar Gurus Teach Cops to Dream BigAmanda Warren Released footage of a New Mexico attorney at a Vehicle Forfeiture Conference yes, that was the actual seminar title is quickly gaining ire. In it, the Las Cruces city attorney, Harry S. Connelly Jr., encourages the police practice of seizure like hes a multi-level marketing guru motivating his underlings to look at everyone as a potential dollar sign. Really, the analogy fits a report from the Institute of Justice documents that prosecutors (and the State) get a part of the cut. Officers intently listen to techniques about maximum profits, arguing in court, getting past objects of innocent victims and keeping the loot. If you watch the full footage of Connellys remarks, you can see how NM police ensnared a man for almost touching his own car after leaving a bar. And he expresses sorrow for the officers (and himself) who had to give back the 2008 Mercedes Benz because they didnt wait just a little longer for the snag. It would have made such a nice haul at auction right, because, thats the saddest thing about this scenario. But he encourages going after nice cars. Obviously, policing has become goods-driven, not safety-driven. Sources: Also see: Recently fromAmanda Warren: 