Trooper vs. Paramedic

[medichopeful]

i think i heard that too, but none of the cops that i know would have pulled over an ambulance rather than go help out another officer

None of the cops I know would, either. Which makes the situation even stranger and more screwed up. Maybe the help call was canceled?

 

[amberdt03]

None of the cops I know would, either. Which makes the situation even stranger and more screwed up. Maybe the help call was canceled?

maybe. that would explain why he passed them and then doubled back to pull them over

 

[Jon]

I was just asking for the law. Thank you for providing it after you got your pantys out of a wad.

Medic417,

I did a little google-fu. Turns out, Oklahoma, like some other states, has a law in its books to protect EMS workers and enhance penalties when we are assualted:

SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 21 O.S. 1991, Section 650.4, is amended to read as follows:
Section 650.4 A. Every person who, without justifiable or excusable cause and with intent to do bodily harm, commits any assault, battery or assault and battery upon the person of an emergency medical technician or other emergency medical care provider who is performing medical care duties, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six (6) months one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
B. As used in this section, "emergency medical care provider" means doctors, residents, interns, nurses, nurses’ aides, ambulance attendants and operators, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and members of a hospital security force.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2000.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/OCISWeb/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=212913

Every person who, without justifiable or excusable cause and with intent to do bodily harm, commits any aggravated assault and battery or any assault with a firearm or other deadly weapon upon the person of an emergency medical technician or other emergency medical care provider, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional institution for not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/OCISWeb/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=69281


So... YES... there are increased penalties for assualt on EMS workers in the line of duty.

However - the whole station is a mess.

 

[HotelCo]

Didn't see the drivers statement posted yet...

Statement from the EMT driving the ambulance:
http://static.ktul.com/documents/franksstatement_0509.pdf

Just to put it out there again for those that didn't read through the whole thread...
The paramedic's statement:
http://static.ktul.com/documents/emtstatement_0509.pdf

 

[Jon]

The more I read this thread, the more it frustrates me. FFEMT8978 asked everyone to play nice this morning... but folks aren't being nice.

This thread is on time out.

 

[Jon]

So... I'm re-opening the thread.

Final reminder everyone - Be Nice.

 

[Lunah]

Latest update, as far as I've seen:

http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=10434913

 

[HotelCo]

Latest update, as far as I've seen:

http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=10434913

"OHP dash cameras recorded the first confrontation between the men. Prosecutors now have that tape, which they say shows Maurice White (Paramedic) assaulting Trooper Martin."

New information.

And... discuss

 

[Lunah]

If so, why hasn't he been arrested yet? You'd think that would happen with a quickness, given how volatile/publicized this whole situation has become.

 

[HotelCo]

If so, why hasn't he been arrested yet? You'd think that would happen with a quickness, given how volatile/publicized this whole situation has become.

I don't think so. They're treading carefully here, because of all the news attention. Don't want to make any quick decisions.

 

[Lunah]

Yeah, I see your point. But gee, now there's a dangerous criminal out there roaming the streets, helping others. Heh.

 

[HotelCo]

Yeah, I see your point. But gee, now there's a dangerous criminal out there roaming the streets, helping others. Heh.

Unacceptable. This criminal needs to be brought to justice. NOW.

 

[AJ Hidell]

A) Not illegal in any way for a police officer to use proper force to control a situation or initiate an arrest.

That would hold water had he actually made an arrest. He didn't. And he didn't control a situation. He initiated a situation.

B ) How will it be good in any way for this to cause a huge public outcry?

Because it will put cops on notice that they are not above the law, cannot get away with illegal behavior with impunity, and will suffer consequences just like us mere mortals.

You want MORE people to hate police?

Yes. If more people hate all police, more police will work harder to change that image.

But I think you have this entire thing backwards. This is not about hurting the image police. This is about protecting the image and rights of EMS.

 

[fma08]

My god! From the US to Europe?! Talk about overtime!

And mileage B)

 

[DT4EMS]

I waited a while before I made any comments........

I see problems on BOTH sides here. As a police officer AND a paramedic I can see both sides.

First..... because I wasn't sure if it was posted earlier........ it is very possible he was at speeds to "outrun the siren" you guys all remember that from your EVOC days right? Not that he is traveling faster than the speed of sound........ you know what I mean.

I read the medic's statement too. It, like most statements, tends to lean toward the person writing the statement. I have not read the PC statement of the officer.

I can tell you, as will most other trained folks...... an open hand choke to a person that is standing is nearly impossible to choke someone unconscious. Plus....... did you see the size of the medic? He looked like a bodybuilder. I wish I was that size.

I took the fact of him pointing at his neck as a "see what he is doing to me" motion for the camera. I think he did a good job of staying calm. Kudos for it not turning into a full blown fight.

While on the "choke" note. Is is AGAINST many PD departments policy to "choke" anyone unless it is a "deadly force" encounter. This was clearly not a deadly force encounter.

As far as the medic pulling away......... guys on many force continuum's that just upped the level of force needed for a situation.

Now saying that let me say this.............


I would not have stopped the ambulance. BUT if for some reason I did (remember ambulances get stolen too) Once I saw there was a patient on board, I could have followed to the ER, had a chat and issued the citation if one was truly needed. Maybe even follow up with his supervisors.

Both sides have some guilt in this. This is another one of those peeing matches when we should all be on the same side.

No matter how you cut it......... this will bring some serious tensions over there between EMS and LEO.

The cops will see it "They think they can get away with anything" EMS will see it "Cops over here are heavy handed". This is a NO WIN situation.

IMO....... Either party could have and SHOULD have backed an inch and it could have been solved in a whole different way.

I was sick to my stomach when I saw the video. I felt terrible for all involved. Hopefully we can all learn from it.................

Kip

 

[Shishkabob]

If what the prosecutor says is true, and the medic assaulted the cop... then I see even less wrongdoing on the side of the officers.


Only our viewing of the dash cam will tell though...

 

[HotelCo]

Witnesses Statement (per link on the YouTube video):
http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griffin/NEWS9/PDF/0905/witnessletter.pdf

 

[Shishkabob]

Witnesses Statement (per link on the YouTube video):
http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griffin/NEWS9/PDF/0905/witnessletter.pdf

First, I doubt the authenticity of the statement.

Second, that person needs to get some English and grammar lessons.

Thirdly, that statement, if even legit, is much more subjective than objective.

 

[FireMedic65]

This is all over just about ever fire/ems/cop forum and in debates in several other social chatting places. The general concensus seems to be all the same, except for those who are cops and they just feel the need to defend a fellow cop (but some of course, agree with everyone else. This guy was way out of line and should be punished severly.

It's idiots like this guy that give everyone else a bad name.

 

[AJ Hidell]

First, I doubt the authenticity of the statement.

The media is already publishing the statement, which probably means it came from an official source (although I would never claim that the media is beyond being duped).

Second, that person needs to get some English and grammar lessons.

Welcome to Oklahoma, lol. But it's no worse than the typical grammar we see here on this forum.