re: OT cops - why is stealing people's money ok?

This thread makes me think of one of Tennessee's finest:

Following a DUI arrest, there was an officer who purchased a few minuscule items (dip, gum, red bull, gatorade, etc.) at a gas station with the arrestee's credit card. The arrestee was able to show that he was in custody at the time of the purchases and the gas station had surveillance tape showing the officer making the purchases.

The cop faced a misdemeanor theft charge and was terminated from the police force.