A few days ago, the Pilot did a story about a phony inspection sticker ring in Hampton Roads. The report says that some 10,000 to 15,000 such decals were made and people have been arrested for both using the stickers and manufacturing them. Making and distributing the stickers are felonies, while:
Possessing the stickers is a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Today we learn that a Virginia Beach police officer had one on his personal vehicle! Now, the officer is no rookie, having been with the department since 1993. Wonder how many people he busted for invalid stickers while he had a fake one on his own car?
I’ve been trying to come up with reasons as to why the officer would run the risk of being caught with a fake sticker. Is it because he is underpaid and drives a beater that won’t pass inspection? Is it because he can’t afford the $16 fee for the inspection? Is it because he didn’t think he’d get caught?
I don’t know why the officer did it. But it was a dumb move.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I agree, Vivian. It was most definitely a dumb move and there isn’t really an excuse for it.
That being said, there is the possibility that his car might not have been able to pass inspection and the bill for the necessary repairs could have been rather hefty. Plus, it is always a pain to have your car in the shop. If that were the case, he probably figured, “Hey, what not save the money and hassle and just get a fake sticker.”
Hey! Why should we make the false assumption that cops are smart! After all, they don’t have to be proficient in basic math now- their entry level qualifications have been dumbed-down…
BS – he’s been on the force since 1993, before they dumbed down the test 😉