At a loss for words - Miami FL Police officer driving reckless

[joetnymedic 43]

smh

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/29/us/florida-cop-reckless-driving/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

actually the video from the on board camera as well as the audio really puts things in a different light

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/miami-police-officer-arrested-speeding-14842258

Edited October 30, 2011 by joetnymedic

[nfd2004 750]

smh

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/29/us/florida-cop-reckless-driving/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

actually the video from the on board camera as well as the audio really puts things in a different light

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/miami-police-officer-arrested-speeding-14842258

Jez, Maybe I'm Monday morning quarterbacking, but this FHP Officer sure reminds me of Deputy Barney Fife of the Mayberry RFD Police Depts TV show. Deputy Fife would do things like this all the time, and Sheriff Andy Taylor would always have to step in and calm things down. I guess of course this Miami police officer could actually be a phoney and Not a police officer at all. I'm not a police officer but I think I would have done things a little different. Gun drawn, handcuffs, maybe a litte overkill.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

I think it is funny that he said he could not see the car behind him. This is crazy...way to go jack***.

[helicopper 1,050]

Jez, Maybe I'm Monday morning quarterbacking, but this FHP Officer sure reminds me of Deputy Barney Fife of the Mayberry RFD Police Depts TV show. Deputy Fife would do things like this all the time, and Sheriff Andy Taylor would always have to step in and calm things down. I guess of course this Miami police officer could actually be a phoney and Not a police officer at all. I'm not a police officer but I think I would have done things a little different. Gun drawn, handcuffs, maybe a litte overkill.

I honestly don't know what you mean with your reference to Mayberry unless you're suggesting that this will somehow be swept under the rug. In Florida, and with all this publicity, I doubt very highly that it will be.

Given the circumstances shown in that video, treating the operator as a high-risk suspect and exercising extreme caution (weapon drawn and handcuffing the driver) was entirely appropriate. I would have assumed the car was stolen if it took off on me like that too.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

I honestly don't know what you mean with your reference to Mayberry unless you're suggesting that this will somehow be swept under the rug. In Florida, and with all this publicity, I doubt very highly that it will be.

Given the circumstances shown in that video, treating the operator as a high-risk suspect and exercising extreme caution (weapon drawn and handcuffing the driver) was entirely appropriate. I would have assumed the car was stolen if it took off on me like that too.

Chris - I completely agree. I am not a LEO but given the circumstances, I would think the handcuffs, weapon drawn, and exercising extreme caution were all appropriate. I like how the Miami LEO says he will cooperate...I don't think he cooperated very well at all.

[joetnymedic 43]

while some may look at this as nothing more than an officer speeding to get somewhere, I'm quite sorry, that is not the case. while not a LEO, I am sure everyone will agree this guy placed quite a few peoples lives in danger - the trooper, his owm but more importantly the plain ole citizens he is sworn to protect and serve. The other thing that rubs me very wrong is that if you listen to the end of the video, you can hear the trooper state very clearly that this is not the first time and it almost sounds as if they were waiting for this to happen again. If you ask me, stuff like this casts all cops in a bad light. you know why?, I'll tell you why and even though after I left EMS, I worked for media for a bit, and still do a bunch of news departments radios, I feel like this. Stuff like this gets a lot of media hype, the friggin story was on CNN for Gods sake. As well as ABC nationally and a whole bunch of others. This sensationalism, tends to paint cops in a bad light, just like you will find tons of negative stories out there about the fire service and ems. Unfortunately, the public loves dirty laundry and those bad stories and TV, radio, and even newspapers (what's left of them)are businesses and like every other business, they are out there to make money so while the majority of the public loves watching this stuff, they give the public what they want. The advertisers pay money to these entities in hopes for return and face it the more people viewing the more people who see their ads, the more people who see their ads, the more people who buy their stuff. It's sad, but that's the way it works. Personally, I'd rather turn on my TV or radio or open my paper and see a story about a cop or firefighter saving a person or a baby from a burning building but chances are, unless there is actual dramatic video of the event, it's not gonna show up out there. Same goes for EMS, that code save? while you beat quite the odds, unless it's someone famous, it's not going to be known about anywhere but within our own circles. I think it's sad, but unfortunately that's the way it is, and it is sad because the more negative stories, the more negative impact on the views of the general public and until we grab the bull by the horns and start shoving the good things done out there every day down the medias throat and they start putting more good out there than bad.....the publics view about public safety in general is not going to change. Trust me, I pitched the idea during the storm about doing something to show how well prepared various FD's and EMS agencies were as well as how they were helping people but not one single place picked up on it, but I'll bet the farm that if someone screwed up or someone boxed because of a mishap during that same storm they would have been all over it.

Stay Safe out there brothers.

[nfd2004 750]

I honestly don't know what you mean with your reference to Mayberry unless you're suggesting that this will somehow be swept under the rug. In Florida, and with all this publicity, I doubt very highly that it will be.

Given the circumstances shown in that video, treating the operator as a high-risk suspect and exercising extreme caution (weapon drawn and handcuffing the driver) was entirely appropriate. I would have assumed the car was stolen if it took off on me like that too.

With this said, I guess thats a good reason why I'm NOT a Police Officer. A trained Police Officer would look at this video and see things much different than I would. That's why people like myself depend on police officers to protect us.

[Steve 78]

Its incredible that when the Miami P.O. finally does pull over, he pulls over to the left shoulder of the roadway.

[EXrider1044 5]

Next week on Dexter...

Edited November 1, 2011 by EXrider1044

[efdcapt115 1,511]

I'm posting this update NOT to stir the pot, rather since this was viewed by so many here (and the video virtually went viral) it's important that both side's positions be heard. Also there's a LE website mentioned in the story I thought our Brothers/Sisters in Blue (or in the case of the FHP, Brown) might enjoy.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/02/2484605/miami-police-reckless-driving.html

http://www.leoaffairs.com/

Edited November 3, 2011 by efdcapt115

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Radio transcript in the link. Apparently the Troopers Supervisor advised Trooper to back off pursuit. Trooper also conducted (from what they described on the TV news as) a felony traffic stop (weapon drawn) without waiting for back-up. Supposedly Trooper has taken leave time. This story is ALL over the news in south Florida:

http://www.local10.com/news/Radio-recordings-from-speeding-officer-incident-released/-/1717324/4421892/-/12vfdci/-/index.html

[PEMO3 523]

My biggest question was why was a dash cam video released to the media and allowed to go viral in a incident like this. It was surely a controversial topic as soon as it happened and FHP releasing the dash cam video to the media only stirs the pot. Personally I believe in the use of dash cam videos but some discretion needs to be made on leaking the footage to the press. Someone beside the Miami officer clearly was not thinking. (I am talking about the video release).

[efdcapt115 1,511]

My biggest question was why was a dash cam video released to the media and allowed to go viral in a incident like this. It was surely a controversial topic as soon as it happened and FHP releasing the dash cam video to the media only stirs the pot. Personally I believe in the use of dash cam videos but some discretion needs to be made on leaking the footage to the press. Someone beside the Miami officer clearly was not thinking. (I am talking about the video release).

Hi Joe,

Florida is all about "Open Government."

The public's "right to know" in most cases (there are exceptions, but are usually decided at the Appellate level, long after the information has been released) overrides any discretion the agency might want to exercise. Same reason they have cameras in the courtroom, and arrest photos are immediately posted on the Sheriffs' websites.

From the Florida A.G. website:

Florida is proud to lead the nation in providing public access to government meetings and records. This website is designed to help government agencies, the media and private citizens understand Florida’s Open Government and Public Records laws.

Government must be accountable to the people. The Florida Constitution, which sets forth our rights as citizens of this great state, provides that the public has the right to know how government officials spend taxpayer dollars and make the decisions affecting their lives. The principle of open government is one that must guide everything done in government for its public.

http://www.myflsunshine.com/

In this case, more than likely the FHP records, which are looked at constantly by the media, were immediately pounced upon, and a FOIL was filed (if even necessary).

[efdcapt115 1,511]

A dashboard video cam that captured the image of Florida state trooper Donna Jane Watts marching a uniformed, handcuffed Miami police officer to her squad car, all the while berating him for speeding, has sparked a figurative slugfest in the blogosphere that seems to be intensifying by the hour.

The core issue that has transfixed Miami’s law enforcement community in the past few days appears to be this: whether Watts, a trooper with a no-nonsense attitude, crossed the line when she sped south on Florida’s Turnpike behind the police car of Miami officer Fausto Lopez, as he broke speed limits to get to an early-morning off-duty assignment.

When Lopez finally stopped — and there is considerable debate over whether he was traveling the previously reported 120 miles per hour — Watts approached him like any other suspect and not a brother officer on the side of the dark road. She pulled her sidearm — highly unusual for a speeding stop — aimed and shouted at him as she approached. Then she cuffed him and escorted him back to her vehicle.

Therein lies the firestorm. Watts violated one of the unwritten rules of the profession: It holds that an officer should try at all costs to avoid pulling over a fellow officer for minor infractions. Kick it to the higher ups and let them hash it out.

“This is not police corruption,’’ said retired North Miami Police Maj. Bob Lynch, a police instructor. “These are not criminal offenses, but traffic violations.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/05/2488922/trooper-vs-miami-cop-police-public.html

The south Florida LE story that refuses to go away. Check out the full video from the FHP vehicle:

Youtube credit: rawdashcam

[tommyguy 104]

That's incredible. Officer Lopez doesn't seem to have been using lights, siren, not even signaling lane changes. At 120 MPH?

He didn't know the trooper was attempting to pull him over? He had NO idea at all? Every time he changed lanes she stayed right behind him but his only thought was, she was "on a job?" Shouldn't he have at least "yielded to an emergency vehicle."

Come on folks, when is the last time you saw a police car responding to an emergency at 120 mph in moderate-to-heavy traffic? Why would anyone -- even Miami leo -- expect FHP to tolerate that?They shouldn't and this trooper did the right thing.She's right -What Lopez did WAS dangerous and VERY disrespectful to the trooper and all the other highway users.

Edited November 6, 2011 by tommyguy

[joetnymedic 43]

You know, when I originally saw this, I posted this and I don't want to start a war here. I am not a LEO, but I can understand where they are coming from, but as a civilian, and having watched what was made available of the stop and the dash cam, I still have to say the miami officer did appear to be driving recklessly at the very least therefor in my opinion (as a civilian) placing others in harms way. That said, some will say the trooper by activating her lights and siren and pursuing the miami car also placed the public at risk. Now there are a few things that jump out at me from the video and audio available. 1. the trooper states plainly to the miami officer that his driving led her to believe the marked patrol car may have been stolen. and she is also heard saying that this same miami unit has been seen doing the same thing on numerous occassions. for either of those reasons, I would have pulled the car over. Now like I said this is just my opinion. Another thing is how the miami officer responded. His excuse that the school is high end and important people go there. That doesn't fly. Reason, for the most part, it makes it sound as if there is 24 hr protection by miami pd there and if so, just like in all of our respective services, if someone is late, someone gets held over, that's just the case. The other thing is, this trooper made a judgement call, and by everyone from her superiors to other LE to the general public, questioning her judgement, not only does that place a doubt on this incident, but it places doubt on any other case she may have, or will work in the past or the future. When you start questioning judgement, you leave room for a perp to escape the law. Now how many in LE would want to see even one perp get cut loose over this? I understand the fellow officer thing, its pretty much the same in public safety all around but if its going to do more harm than good? and as for the comment she made that this wasn';t the first time and that this same car does this all of the time, who's to say she hadn't previously gone thru channels and called the car in to her superiors or maybe even have called said department, just to see the guy do the same thing again and again? maybe she just got sick and tired of her complaints falling on deaf ears. my point is simply this, none of us were there, as well as none of those pointing fingers were either. The only true people who know what was really going on, or what was going thru their minds were the ones involved and all the finger pointers, myself included, weren't there and are just monday morning quarterbacking this incident. In closing, and once again in thr troopers defense. From the miami officers manner of driving, by her making that stop, she may have saved someone, including that cop from being in a wreck and dying 5 miles down the road. and now that this guy is on the radar, maybe he will change his driving habits, so in the long run, by doing what she did. this trooper may have saved a life.

as i said, i'm not a leo, i'm just a civilian, but this is just my opinion.

joe

[efdcapt115 1,511]

I just want to reiterate, I didn't follow up with the additional postings to stir any controversy on this board. I was just in the process of posting my opinion when I read the prior posts and decided to keep it to myself, and I'm not inferring anything is wrong with those posts.

The only reason I've followed up with the news stories is because it is dominating the news cycle down here, and in all honesty the whole incident raises legitimate and interesting questions that I thought would be good reading/viewing for our members here.

[YogruntNy 21]

If I was the officer being pulled over, I would never have stopped. I wouldve made that female cop chase me all the way to my precinct, and let the supervisors duke it out (yes, I know, he was on the way to an off duty gig).

Yes, he was speeding and being reckless, I understand that before some of you jump on my back....but being pulled out AT GUNPOINT?!?! I dont even stop people who are in the middle of drug deals at gunpoint! To see an officer stop me at gunpoint in full uniform, duty gear and a marked car, I'd probably pull my gun out back at her thinking she was EDP. The thin blue line is dead cause of reasons like this....now there's a war down in Florida, and I GUARANTEE it will not over ANYTIME soon! I totally couldve seen her stoppping the guy to give him a warning and a hell of a scolding at the most! But personally, and this is just me, take down the tag of the car and report it to your supervisor as well as the other officer's supervisor. It'll get dealt with eventually. This sort of stuff causes nothing but trouble...as you can see...

Just to add....I'd say it's a safe assumption that PBA cards wont be working down there anymore, HA! Be safe out there, everyone...

[helicopper 1,050]

If I was the officer being pulled over, I would never have stopped. I wouldve made that female cop chase me all the way to my precinct, and let the supervisors duke it out (yes, I know, he was on the way to an off duty gig).

Yes, he was speeding and being reckless, I understand that before some of you jump on my back....but being pulled out AT GUNPOINT?!?! I dont even stop people who are in the middle of drug deals at gunpoint! To see an officer stop me at gunpoint in full uniform, duty gear and a marked car, I'd probably pull my gun out back at her thinking she was EDP. The thin blue line is dead cause of reasons like this....now there's a war down in Florida, and I GUARANTEE it will not over ANYTIME soon! I totally couldve seen her stoppping the guy to give him a warning and a hell of a scolding at the most! But personally, and this is just me, take down the tag of the car and report it to your supervisor as well as the other officer's supervisor. It'll get dealt with eventually. This sort of stuff causes nothing but trouble...as you can see...

Just to add....I'd say it's a safe assumption that PBA cards wont be working down there anymore, HA! Be safe out there, everyone...

I hope you're just kidding about not yielding to a marked unit attempting to stop you. Had the cop pulled over, he might of only gotten a warning and an earful. Leading a marked unit (from whatever jurisdiction) on a five minute pursuit is just plain dangerous and negates any possibility of receiving professional courtesy. (While the professional courtesy situation in south Florida may already be strained, there is never any justification for such conduct.)

If the reports and transcripts are accurate the plate check didn't come back to a PD vehicle, further justifying the need for a stop.

It's really hard to find any justification for the cop's actions in this case; he escalated things by acting with such impunity and disregard for everyone else. Personally, I don't like the situation at all and the fact that the trooper is now receiving death threats from fellow LEO's is even more discouraging.

[YogruntNy 21]

I hope you're just kidding about not yielding to a marked unit attempting to stop you. Had the cop pulled over, he might of only gotten a warning and an earful. Leading a marked unit (from whatever jurisdiction) on a five minute pursuit is just plain dangerous and negates any possibility of receiving professional courtesy. (While the professional courtesy situation in south Florida may already be strained, there is never any justification for such conduct.)

If the reports and transcripts are accurate the plate check didn't come back to a PD vehicle, further justifying the need for a stop.

It's really hard to find any justification for the cop's actions in this case; he escalated things by acting with such impunity and disregard for everyone else. Personally, I don't like the situation at all and the fact that the trooper is now receiving death threats from fellow LEO's is even more discouraging.

Helicopter, I'm half kidding and half not to tell you the truth, judge me anyway you want on that! I would NEVER think that while in a marked car I'd be getting pulled over by another marked car, EVER!!! And I dont think this cop thought it either, hence he didnt pull over for the first whatever amt. of minutes. I seriouslly dont think he meant to show any form of misconduct/disrespect toward the officer. He probably just didnt know what was going on! Dont misunderstand what I'm trying to say here though. I'm not justifying the off-duty officers actions AT ALL. Blatent disrespect for the authority he's given is obvious here...reckless driving to himself and others, and on top of that he was off duty and not responding to a job...not at any point am I saying he's right in that regard. BUT! To be pulled over at GUNPOINT is something that goes a little too far. He wasnt shooting people rampid, or holding a knife to an innocent persons neck...we was speeding way over the limit. When you talk about "professional couretsy", I'm thinking give an off duty cop a break when you pull him over in his civilian car ,or, using your "discretion" when you stop his friend/relative; I'm NOT thinking pull over a cop in a marked car in which I would assume he was on duty. People get pulled over ALL the time for reckless driving, whether it be DWI, DUI or just the plain old stupid moron that simply cant back out of a driveway, but unless life and property were/attempted to be taken, I wouldnt go as far as to pull my gun out at the officer treating him like a perp. Hell, I dont even see perps being treated that way!!! Unless you feel this car was stolen or the officer is drunk, refer to my last post as to what I would probably do. A simple, "What the hell is your problem, A-hole?", following by a notification would have sufficed. Imagine how ugly that could have gotten...good thing she wasnt trigger happy and got a lil nervous seeing this man also carrying a gun! Mix in the emotions and confusion...well, thats just a bad recipe! I know...

Its a touchy subject, but try to understand what I'm saying here...there are ways to go about doing things...and I'm not above the law, nor is anyone including the top brass. But as you can see, these sort of situations never turn out good for anyone. There are ways to deal with it where the officer could have been reprimanded for his actions and the people could have been safer on the road. Done! Disaster averted, thank God no one got hurt, one cop looing out for a fellow MOS and other drivers, and the other cop paid for his mistake. But instead now we are dealing with cops getting death threats, no courtesy at all for any MOS, and just pure hatred, anger and resentment toward diff. municipalities. These sorts of things dont die down any time soon...Expect it to mess with the morale of the men/women, and in turn, effect their overall performance in the streets.

On that note, I'm heading in...stay safe out there

Edited November 7, 2011 by YogruntNy

[nfd2004 750]

Helicopter, I'm half kidding and half not to tell you the truth, judge me anyway you want on that! I would NEVER think that while in a marked car I'd be getting pulled over by another marked car, EVER!!! And I dont think this cop thought it either, hence he didnt pull over for the first whatever amt. of minutes. I seriouslly dont think he meant to show any form of misconduct/disrespect toward the officer. He probably just didnt know what was going on! Dont misunderstand what I'm trying to say here though. I'm not justifying the off-duty officers actions AT ALL. Blatent disrespect for the authority he's given is obvious here...reckless driving to himself and others, and on top of that he was off duty and not responding to a job...not at any point am I saying he's right in that regard. BUT! To be pulled over at GUNPOINT is something that goes a little too far. He wasnt shooting people rampid, or holding a knife to an innocent persons neck...we was speeding way over the limit. When you talk about "professional couretsy", I'm thinking give an off duty cop a break when you pull him over in his civilian car ,or, using your "discretion" when you stop his friend/relative; I'm NOT thinking pull over a cop in a marked car in which I would assume he was on duty. People get pulled over ALL the time for reckless driving, whether it be DWI, DUI or just the plain old stupid moron that simply cant back out of a driveway, but unless life and property were/attempted to be taken, I wouldnt go as far as to pull my gun out at the officer treating him like a perp. Hell, I dont even see perps being treated that way!!! Unless you feel this car was stolen or the officer is drunk, refer to my last post as to what I would probably do. A simple, "What the hell is your problem, A-hole?", following by a notification would have sufficed. Imagine how ugly that could have gotten...good thing she wasnt trigger happy and got a lil nervous seeing this man also carrying a gun! Mix in the emotions and confusion...well, thats just a bad recipe! I know...

Its a touchy subject, but try to understand what I'm saying here...there are ways to go about doing things...and I'm not above the law, nor is anyone including the top brass. But as you can see, these sort of situations never turn out good for anyone. There are ways to deal with it where the officer could have been reprimanded for his actions and the people could have been safer on the road. Done! Disaster averted, thank God no one got hurt, one cop looing out for a fellow MOS and other drivers, and the other cop paid for his mistake. But instead now we are dealing with cops getting death threats, no courtesy at all for any MOS, and just pure hatred, anger and resentment toward diff. municipalities. These sorts of things dont die down any time soon...Expect it to mess with the morale of the men/women, and in turn, effect their overall performance in the streets.

On that note, I'm heading in...stay safe out there

I completely agree with this point. Being pulled over at GUNPOINT is my thought that I tried to make earlier. A somewhat Over reaction based on what I've seen as a civilian (not a police officer). I'm sure police officers pull over thousands of vehicles everyday and don't react like this.

Several years go, I was pulled over buffing in the Bronx as I turned a corner on 169th St and Intervale Ave. This was in the middle of one of Americas worst ghettos in the Country. The NYPD Officers walked up to my car with their guns drawn and told me to get out of the car. They did NOT scream at me and point that gun directly in my face. But they were ready, if the need arose. They told me that I was getting pulled over because they had a report of me dealing drugs. Whether that report was true or not, I really don't know. But if you knew the neighborhood, this kid from Connecticut just didn't fit in.

Of course after all was said and done, I certainly weren't there for drugs. A sergent later pulled up. He apoligized to me (and the other two friends of mine with me) for pulling us over. He said "you understand the situtation down here"? Of course I did. I was in a place that most people really don't belong. Those officers treated me with respect. However I understand they had a job to do.

A very different outcome, by comparison to this Florida incident. In what actually for those unknowing NYPD Officers, very well could have been armed drug dealers making their buy in this ghetto area of the South Bronx. As dangerous as it could have been, there was no screaming for me to get out of the car. There was no gun barrel pointed at me. Yet, their weapons were out of their holster and in their hand as they told me to get out of the car. In addition, I was searched for weapons which I didn't see in this Florida video.

[helicopper 1,050]

Helicopter, I'm half kidding and half not to tell you the truth, judge me anyway you want on that! I would NEVER think that while in a marked car I'd be getting pulled over by another marked car, EVER!!! And I dont think this cop thought it either, hence he didnt pull over for the first whatever amt. of minutes. I seriouslly dont think he meant to show any form of misconduct/disrespect toward the officer. He probably just didnt know what was going on! Dont misunderstand what I'm trying to say here though. I'm not justifying the off-duty officers actions AT ALL. Blatent disrespect for the authority he's given is obvious here...reckless driving to himself and others, and on top of that he was off duty and not responding to a job...not at any point am I saying he's right in that regard. BUT! To be pulled over at GUNPOINT is something that goes a little too far. He wasnt shooting people rampid, or holding a knife to an innocent persons neck...we was speeding way over the limit. When you talk about "professional couretsy", I'm thinking give an off duty cop a break when you pull him over in his civilian car ,or, using your "discretion" when you stop his friend/relative; I'm NOT thinking pull over a cop in a marked car in which I would assume he was on duty. People get pulled over ALL the time for reckless driving, whether it be DWI, DUI or just the plain old stupid moron that simply cant back out of a driveway, but unless life and property were/attempted to be taken, I wouldnt go as far as to pull my gun out at the officer treating him like a perp. Hell, I dont even see perps being treated that way!!! Unless you feel this car was stolen or the officer is drunk, refer to my last post as to what I would probably do. A simple, "What the hell is your problem, A-hole?", following by a notification would have sufficed. Imagine how ugly that could have gotten...good thing she wasnt trigger happy and got a lil nervous seeing this man also carrying a gun! Mix in the emotions and confusion...well, thats just a bad recipe! I know...

Its a touchy subject, but try to understand what I'm saying here...there are ways to go about doing things...and I'm not above the law, nor is anyone including the top brass. But as you can see, these sort of situations never turn out good for anyone. There are ways to deal with it where the officer could have been reprimanded for his actions and the people could have been safer on the road. Done! Disaster averted, thank God no one got hurt, one cop looing out for a fellow MOS and other drivers, and the other cop paid for his mistake. But instead now we are dealing with cops getting death threats, no courtesy at all for any MOS, and just pure hatred, anger and resentment toward diff. municipalities. These sorts of things dont die down any time soon...Expect it to mess with the morale of the men/women, and in turn, effect their overall performance in the streets.

On that note, I'm heading in...stay safe out there

Don't get me wrong, I agree that pulling over a marked police car is an exception to the rule but given the way that car was being operated, I would probably have stopped it too. This is a unique case, it's not just a speeding car, and I understand why the trooper thought it may have been stolen. High speed, erratic operation, plates don't come back to PD, failed to comply... all indicators that something more is going on. Add to that the frequent "warnings" about fake emergency vehicles being used by criminal or terrorist organizations and I think there's ample cause for a high-risk car stop. Were there tactical issues with how she conducted it? Well, that's an entirely different conversation.

[INIT915 1,119]

I hope you're just kidding about not yielding to a marked unit attempting to stop you. Had the cop pulled over, he might of only gotten a warning and an earful. Leading a marked unit (from whatever jurisdiction) on a five minute pursuit is just plain dangerous and negates any possibility of receiving professional courtesy. (While the professional courtesy situation in south Florida may already be strained, there is never any justification for such conduct.)

If the reports and transcripts are accurate the plate check didn't come back to a PD vehicle, further justifying the need for a stop.

It's really hard to find any justification for the cop's actions in this case; he escalated things by acting with such impunity and disregard for everyone else. Personally, I don't like the situation at all and the fact that the trooper is now receiving death threats from fellow LEO's is even more discouraging.

What he said, +1.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

I hope you're just kidding about not yielding to a marked unit attempting to stop you. Had the cop pulled over, he might of only gotten a warning and an earful. Leading a marked unit (from whatever jurisdiction) on a five minute pursuit is just plain dangerous and negates any possibility of receiving professional courtesy. (While the professional courtesy situation in south Florida may already be strained, there is never any justification for such conduct.)

If the reports and transcripts are accurate the plate check didn't come back to a PD vehicle, further justifying the need for a stop.

It's really hard to find any justification for the cop's actions in this case; he escalated things by acting with such impunity and disregard for everyone else. Personally, I don't like the situation at all and the fact that the trooper is now receiving death threats from fellow LEO's is even more discouraging.

Chris,

The Trooper allegedly called in the wrong plate number.

[helicopper 1,050]

Chris,

The Trooper allegedly called in the wrong plate number.

That makes sense. Not uncommon to misread a plate going by at 100+

[PaulBalentine 13]

In anybody's eyes, it is a bad situation all around........Those of us in the public sector (police, fire, ems, what have you) can't afford any bad press!!!!!!

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Before this is over, it might give the Stamford thread a run for it's money:

Tit-for-tat: New video of speeding officers this time targets FHP troopers

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/07/2491671/tit-for-tat-new-video-of-speeding.html