This does not sound like good police work

[idlewind]

DeFuniak police car crashes during pursuit





July 10, 2008 - 10:34PM
Andrew Gant
Daily News
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS - A pickup truck slammed into an unmarked police car Thursday as officers tried to help catch a suspect in an undercover state case.

DeFuniak Springs Police Investigator Brian Schultz was driving with passengers Sgt. Joseph Ward and police intern Laura Gainey when he heard a request to help catch the suspect, according to police.

Schultz turned onto U.S. Highway 331 at the intersection of the Interstate 10 eastbound on-ramp, police said. But he didn't see a northbound blue Dodge pickup, driven by Elliot W. Harrah of Fort Walton Beach.

Harrah hit the cruiser hard enough to pin Ward and Gainey inside. They were later released with the Jaws of Life.

Gainey was taken to HealthMark Regional Medical Center with a fractured shoulder and transferred to Pensacola for more treatment.

Everyone else was treated at HealthMark for cuts and bruises and released.

The suspect police were chasing got away, they said.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.



I do not think that allowing unmarked police cars with a civilian (intern) as a passenger is too thoughtful. I wonder if this was allowed in policy, what does this say about the administration of the police department. In any case, sounds like an expensive bill for the citizens of DFS.:angry:
I am glad that everyone is OK and that the young lady only has a broken shoulder.

 

[The Watcher]

I was called Negative Nancy?

DeFuniak police car crashes during pursuit





July 10, 2008 - 10:34PM
Andrew Gant
Daily News
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS - A pickup truck slammed into an unmarked police car Thursday as officers tried to help catch a suspect in an undercover state case.

DeFuniak Springs Police Investigator Brian Schultz was driving with passengers Sgt. Joseph Ward and police intern Laura Gainey when he heard a request to help catch the suspect, according to police.

Schultz turned onto U.S. Highway 331 at the intersection of the Interstate 10 eastbound on-ramp, police said. But he didn't see a northbound blue Dodge pickup, driven by Elliot W. Harrah of Fort Walton Beach.

Harrah hit the cruiser hard enough to pin Ward and Gainey inside. They were later released with the Jaws of Life.

Gainey was taken to HealthMark Regional Medical Center with a fractured shoulder and transferred to Pensacola for more treatment.

Everyone else was treated at HealthMark for cuts and bruises and released.

The suspect police were chasing got away, they said.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.



I do not think that allowing unmarked police cars with a civilian (intern) as a passenger is too thoughtful. I wonder if this was allowed in policy, what does this say about the administration of the police department. In any case, sounds like an expensive bill for the citizens of DFS.:angry:
I am glad that everyone is OK and that the young lady only has a broken shoulder.

OK, come on. THIS post is an example of negative campaigning at its best. I may or may not support Mike Adkinson, or any other candidate at this point, but to use a crash and injury of an officer and an Intern as cannon fodder is poor taste.

I know both Brian and Joey and I am glad that they are OK. Unless you have ever worked in a plain clothes, driven an unmarked car, or worked in an undercover capacity, you need not judge the officers. They made a choice to act and attempt to take out a criminal. Until you walk in their shoes (maybe you have, but I doubt it) leave the hard working officers and an accident out of the negative campainging.

If Brian, Joey or the new intern were chasing the perp who just broken into your home and did who knows what, would you still feel the same way. Regardless of the policies and procedures, leadership in DFS, etc., to bring the three into the mix is wrong.

P.S. the intern signs a waiver, very detailed, just for situations like this. I too am glad she is fine.

Too bad the perp got away, next time guys.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I agree with the Watcher on this one. There have been many occasions - job shadowing, FTO, etc where Fuzz has had a non-sworn person ride with him. In fact, it is typically safer for a intern/etc to ride with an investigator in an unmarked vehicle than it is in a marked unit, as marked units are the one normally involved in traffic stops, pursuits, and other potentially violent situations.

It was a VERY bad accident, and I am glad they are OK.

 

[rdelong43065]

That's why they call them accidents.

 

[Seeker1]

I agree with the Watcher on this one. There have been many occasions - job shadowing, FTO, etc where Fuzz has had a non-sworn person ride with him. In fact, it is typically safer for a intern/etc to ride with an investigator in an unmarked vehicle than it is in a marked unit, as marked units are the one normally involved in traffic stops, pursuits, and other potentially violent situations.

It was a VERY bad accident, and I am glad they are OK.

I'm glad everyone will be okay. Cars are just things and things can be replaced, lives cant.
This is a result of poor training, judgement and maybe even current policy.
I cant think of one department that encourages unmarked cars to be involved in pursuits. Even if it were an approved method of emergency vehicle operation in the pd, the safety of the vehicles passengers, primarily an intern and the public should have been of paramount importance. Thats why its common to see riders with investigators as you mentioned. They are not approved for pursuits and are not generally the first on scene to potentially violent situations. It appears in this case it was more important to stop someone. Seems more like a case of POP, pissing off police. It never was said why the vehicle was being stopped in the first place.
I hope they capture the suspect and above all I hope it was worth it all. I hope the pd has a post pursuit investigation policy in place. If they dont, they should.
I hope the PD addresses this in a possible policy change as well.
As for the "detailed waiver" thats only good if policy was followed. It does not release anyone from liability if policy was violated or poorly written. Waivers dont instill common sense either. This was completely avoidable. As for another comment about catching criminals, would you still say that if the officers wanted to stop the vehicle only for a tail light not working or the tag was expired? A "run'em till the wheels fall off" policy sooner or later results in death. Im not sayong let them all go, im saying make better and safer traffic stops thats all.

Hope all feel better soon.

 

[idlewind]

OK, come on. THIS post is an example of negative campaigning at its best. I may or may not support Mike Adkinson, or any other candidate at this point, but to use a crash and injury of an officer and an Intern as cannon fodder is poor taste.

I know both Brian and Joey and I am glad that they are OK. Unless you have ever worked in a plain clothes, driven an unmarked car, or worked in an undercover capacity, you need not judge the officers. They made a choice to act and attempt to take out a criminal. Until you walk in their shoes (maybe you have, but I doubt it) leave the hard working officers and an accident out of the negative campainging.

If Brian, Joey or the new intern were chasing the perp who just broken into your home and did who knows what, would you still feel the same way. Regardless of the policies and procedures, leadership in DFS, etc., to bring the three into the mix is wrong.

P.S. the intern signs a waiver, very detailed, just for situations like this. I too am glad she is fine.

Too bad the perp got away, next time guys.

If I could ask you to spare a minute and come down from your high horse, let me ask you a question. Why is this "negative campaigning" and all the opportunities all of us have taken to point out the shortcomings of Johnson's administration not? What is the difference? What I said/quoted did not mention any race or any candidate but did point out a serious public safety issue with the DFSPD. One is not required to ride in an unmarked car "chasing perps" to know that running full speed through a crowded interchange with a civilian in tow is not good public policy. Protecting and serving is not accomplished by placing the driving public in unneccessary danger. Would you feel the same way if the city car struck and killed your wife/husband/child?

For the record, I do not question the courage or dedication of these officers and fully support our officers, as I fully support our troops. Calling into question the policies and procedures that either group operate under is just that, questioning public policy, not using our officers or troops as "cannon fodder."

 

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

While I do not typically respond to anonymous posts this particular thread was brought to my attention by one of my officers. I feel that I have a responsibility to defend my officers from unwarranted criticism. I accept that as a candidate I must submit to inquiry and unfortunately innuendo. I do not accept that police officers under my command should be ridiculed or second-guessed simply because they work for me. If you do not feel that I am the right candidate for you then most certainly that is your choice. However, I would ask that as a matter of respect that you refrain from commenting on the performance of these officers when you are not in possession of all of the facts. Investigator Schultz and Ward were performing their duties within department guidelines and at no point were they in pursuit. They were traveling at a very low rate of speed. They were attempting to intercept a confirmed drug currier (said vehicle was later stopped). While attempting to maintaining visual observation our unit pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle. This was a traffic accident. We were at fault and have taken appropriate corrective action. Investigator Schultz has shown himself to be capable and competent police investigator, the fact that he was involved in a traffic accident does nothing to negate that fact. I apologize to Investigator Schultz and his family for having to be submitted to this type of unwarranted scrutiny.


Mike Adkinson Jr
City Marshal/Chief of Police

 

[Santiago]

If I could ask you to spare a minute and come down from your high horse, let me ask you a question. Why is this "negative campaigning" and all the opportunities all of us have taken to point out the shortcomings of Johnson's administration not? What is the difference? What I said/quoted did not mention any race or any candidate but did point out a serious public safety issue with the DFSPD. One is not required to ride in an unmarked car "chasing perps" to know that running full speed through a crowded interchange with a civilian in tow is not good public policy. Protecting and serving is not accomplished by placing the driving public in unneccessary danger. Would you feel the same way if the city car struck and killed your wife/husband/child?

For the record, I do not question the courage or dedication of these officers and fully support our officers, as I fully support our troops. Calling into question the policies and procedures that either group operate under is just that, questioning public policy, not using our officers or troops as "cannon fodder."

Why do you have to put the little symbols throughout your posts? How old are you?

 

[ShallowsNole]

Why do you have to put the little symbols throughout your posts? How old are you?

Not to answer for idle, who I disagreed with earlier but generally respect, but most of us use the emoticons simply because they are available. :shock:

 

[CiaoBella]

Idlewind and Seeker1 are right on. It is sickening that SOME (not all) cops get away with so much. I personally am against any chase that is not worth the possible costs. I have read about cops chasing people when they didn't know for sure they had the right car with the correct passengers. Just because someone is a police officer does not mean they get a pass for bad judgment, fat ego or any other faulty action. I get really tired of "mistakes" being played down! I personally know a traffic cop who could have saved a life but poor judgement by failure to act caused a family devastation. He is fine. Posters on other forums are right, what if this had been caused by a civilian? Most of us will probably never know what really happened. Most police protect their own no matter the cost.