Notwithstanding changes to policy, there will likely always be a list of willing applicants for the Lynnwood, Washington, vice squad. Still, while Lynnwood Police Commander Paul Watkins tries to justify his officers’ behaviour as acceptable modus operandi, others say they committed a crime by paying for and accepting hand-jobs during their investigation of a prostitution ring.

According to the reports, one of two undercover officers investigating the Classic Body Tonic Spa treated himself to a “full body shampoo,” which included anal fondling as well as handling of the ol’ service revolver. He returned twice more for additional massages. The second officer only visited the spa once.

According to Watkins, he’d only told the officers “no oral sex, no intercourse” and so they didn’t do anything wrong. Other law enforcement agencies say that the law allows for an arrest as soon as a person agrees to have sex for money.

» Scott Saxon