The next time I get pulled over for speeding in Massachusetts, I'm going to report the officer for illegal smoking. Revenge would be more gratifying than going to court and trying to fight the inevitable.

Given that the Boston Globe is reporting that a mere anonymous accusation is enough to get a police officer fired for smoking tobacco, on or off duty, it may be a strategy that pays off.

Wayne Jeffrey, a seven-year veteran of the Fall River force, was fired May 29 after an internal investigation, prompted by an unsigned letter that claimed he smoked tobacco at a party.

How long before street gangs start giving anonymous tips on every officer on foot patrol in their turf. Better yet, rather than take a hit for unpopular budget cutbacks, politicians could simply report public safety officers for smoking rather than lay them off. Think of the money they'd save on severance packages.