From Tulsa World Dot Com

Ad man

by: World’s Editorial Writers
Wednesday, July 07, 2010

It’s inappropriate for a county sheriff — in uniform — to endorse a pawn shop and precious metals dealer in television advertising.

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton, who first got his face in the public’s eye by being a spokesman for the Tulsa Police Department, appears in TV spots for Tulsa Gold and Gems.

Walton says he has been a friend of the owners of the business for more than 20 years and isn’t paid for his appearance.

We’re glad he’s not doing ads for his enemies and that he isn’t taking money for the ads. That doesn’t make it any better.

He also says that even if he’s an elected law enforcement officer, he still has the right to express his opinion, which is certainly true.

But if he is only expressing his own opinion, why wear the uniform? Why not wear a business suit or a shirt with the logo of the pawn shop?

We suspect the uniform is part of the message, an attempt to give the business the implicit endorsement of law enforcement, which is why the ads are inappropriate.

When you get a badge and a gun and the authority to arrest people in the name of the state, you should recognize that your voice represents more than just your own opinion, especially when you are wearing your law enforcement uniform.

Walton’s appearance in the ads appears to be legal, which isn’t to say it is the right thing to do.

The final judges in the matter, of course, will be the voters of Rogers County. If they like seeing their sheriff shilling for a Tulsa pawn shop, then so be it. We suspect otherwise.

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