" Its not hard to tell a hooker from the general public..."
I couldn't agree with you more, MCME. Now tell me why then- Sgt.James Burke/now- Chief of Department James Burke, the Creator of "Intelligence Policng", and a person that was known as "Starsky" because he supposedly had an uncanny ability to identify criminals in his patrol area couldn't ID a street hooker, Lowrita R that had 27 arrests for prostitution, drugs, and larceny ( see - 1995 SCPD IAB report substantiating that fact) and still involved himself with her for at least 6 months, or more like 2 years, and never realized she was a prostitute?
Then tell me how such an 'alleged' police officer could leave his weapon in her care on at least 2 different occasions?
Now this isn't your "Joe Average" citizen, this is the CHIEF OF THE ENTIRE SCPD. He is the same Chief, by virtue of his rank and authority is running the GILGO BEACH investigation. If you want to say he does have a unique expertise in this case because he has a history with prostitutes, then I say he is extremely qualified.
If that isn't enough then please consider when Burke left the DA office as their Chief Investigator/CO of the DA's detective squad he was replaced by another guy named Madigan. That Madigan jumped over many ranks from LT/Captain to be Spota's hand picked cop to become the Chief of Detectives.
If you think Spota has his hand in all of this for the purpose to keep the damage to a minimum then I have that bridge to sell you.