The article “U.S. says FBI agent spied for Russia” (Page 1, Feb. 21), about Robert Hanssen, describes his earlier years of being with “C5,” an elite internal-affairs squad with the Chicago Police Department.
This C5 unit was more unique rather than “elite.” It recruited young, college and non-streetwise kids from the academy who couldn’t find a telephone in a telephone booth. Another faction of this unique unit was composed of police officers who couldn’t hack it on the street.
Once they showed their incompetence on the street, they were recruited for C5, the “elite” unit. What a collection of misfits.
The quote by Ernie Rizzo, the private eye, “He seemed overqualified for street work,” was a slap in the face to every real policeman.
No one is overqualified to work the street; this is one of the few positions where really qualified men are needed.
