What would ya'll do?

[Capt Ken]

For those that don't know, my son is in the Coast Guard stationed in Kennewick, WA. Anyway, the son calls and asks for advise. Last nite he was called out by the station chief for an emergency and to get to the station. He jumped in his uniform, picked up a fellow crewman and raced to the station. On the way, he was stopped by the state police for speeding. 55 in a 35. He explained he was in the coast guard (kinda evident by the uniform) and there had been an emergency and was reporting for duty. The officer still asked for his license and registration. Son asked if he could follow him to the station or at least phone the station to verify the emergency. Instead the officer went back to his cruiser to write the ticket. By the time they got to the station, they found out that they were needed for a search and rescue. An elderly man had fell out of his boat and was missing. Waiting for the ticket kept the boat from leaving the dock in a timely manner. If their lateness mattered in the saving of the man, we'll never know, but they did find the body and retrieve it. My son was asking my advise as to what to do with the ticket. I told him to take a letter from his chief stating he as on an emergency call along with the newspaper clipping concerning the rescue and go to the courthouse. If the personal there couldn't do anything, ask for a hearing before the judge. I can't see any judge upholding that ticket. I just keep thinking about the family of the dead man. How would you feel if you knew the search for your family member was held up by a police officer writing a speeding ticket to the coast guard. I was kinda thinking about writing the newspaper there and telling them about the incident. Had to be a rookie cop, an experienced officer wouldn't have taken that chance.

 

[derwood]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Hey Captain ken....Derwood here.<br /><br />Tell Him to fight it....This time It may have cost someone their life for a officer to look past good jugment and stick to the letter of the law....maybe out of spite for your sons branch of the service.<br /><br />See ya.<br /><br />Derwood.

 

[Homerr]

Re: What would ya'll do?

I'm sure the cop has heard a bazillion excuses to get out of a ticket. <br /><br />HOWEVER...<br />He could have had the dispatch verify the emergency. It would have only taken a second. Being next to a Coast Guard station, the officer should have known or had some kind of training for issues like that.<br /><br />I had a friend who just got back from the Gulf War, and he was pulled over for not only speeding, but he was driving in the middle of the road.<br />He told the officer he didn't realize it, because they are trained to drive like that to avoid land mines, RPG's, etc... The cop let him go.<br /><br />What an A-Hole! I hope they hang that cop for murder if it is somehow proven that the delay caused the mans death.<br /><br />I would let the Coast Guard handle it. I'm sure they have some kind of lawyer or department that handles tickets while on duty etc...<br />Now the deceased is a wrench in the works... <br />Dunno what to do there.<br /><br />Don't give up. Make sure justice is served.<br /><br />H.

 

[ob]

Re: What would ya'll do?

That policeman doesn't have to verify the emergency.That's why it's called an emergency.Part of their duty as a police officer is to ask motorists if they are in a hurry for emergency reasons and if need be he should have simply escorted him to the coast guard station with lights flashing.No different than if it was a medical emergency.Many of these new millineum self serving attitude cops need to be attitude adjusted.By the way ,this click-it or ticket thing is a joke as well.A huge money generator.If law enforcement and the law makers that implement safety standards for motorists truly cared about the well being and road safety of motorists, why on Gods good earth would they lift the restrictions of motorcycle helmets.One theory,that I happen to aggree with is many of the lobbyists are baby boomers who have come into their own and drive Harleys.And everyone knows that it's not cool to ride one with a helmet.If you want to know the statistics of the increase in head trauma fatalities since the lifting of this restriction just speak to anyone who works at a trauma center.<br /> I saw the stats on a CNN report and it was troubling.<br /> Police departments need to remember who they work for and who cuts their paychecks.<br /> I hate to imagine that this incedent was directly related to a persons drowning,however it definately should be addressed with the proper authorities and must never happen again.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Capt.Ken,<br /> OB hit it on the head....Police should have given escort to CG station or once shown identification,could have followed him to station.Give the ticket later.The officer was delaying efforts/interfering with an emergency of a goverment agency.(If you interfere with the police or fire dept,you can be arrested)Sounds like his ego was overcoming the right thing to do....Why don't the coasties have blue lights like volunteer fire depts and a sign facing out on the dash saying "COAST GUARD"?.I think new laws are needed in this area considering the tasks the USCG are required to perform.The CG as we all know is also a law enforcement agency.I'm sure the ticket will be dismissed....

 

[Homerr]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Yes, I'm sure the ticket will be dismissed for the sole fact that it was a true emergency.<br />The police department will try and bury this one fast I bet. Talk about 'egg in your face'<br /><br />DON'T LET IT HAPPEN!<br /><br />(Some)Cops still find ways to give you tickets even AFTER you've totalled your car on a deer or whatever...<br />Find someone who will not let this dissapear.<br />Heck, take it to the media? They'll chew this one up.<br /><br />H.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Yea, the law makers only pass laws that they want passed, not laws that are good for the people.<br />Something they are interested in.<br />The no helmet deal is one of the dumbest laws as of recent.<br />People will pay a small fortune for leather jackets, boots, gloves, etc, but when it comes to protecting the most important part, OH, no, I ain't wearing that thing.<br />Never could understand that one.<br />Another thing is the speed limit debate.<br />When it was 55, people drove 65.<br />Now at 65, people drive 75.<br />Why not just leave it 55, and let people drive the 65 before issuing a ticket?<br />As far as the CG thing, the police officer did wrong. As stated above he should have atleast called and verified the emergency.<br />How would he have felt if later he had found out it was one of his loved one's that the emergency was about.<br />The CG will handle it I'm sure and the ticket will be dismissed as it should be.<br />It's just some cops have a huge chip on and it takes something like this to knock it off.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: What would ya'll do?

boy Ken, this is a tough one. on one hand I agree<br />with the cop stopping him, shouldn't be doing 55<br />in a 35 unless you have lights and a siren.<br />but I don't think the cop used common sense here.<br />he should have escorted him to the station and<br />issued the ticket later.<br />he is guilty of speeding. the cop is guilty of<br />stupidity.

 

[JB]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Ahoy, Capt. Ken.<br /><br />Did your son have the emergency flashers going on his vehicle? Was he beeping his horn? Did he have any form of warning to the general public that he was in an emergency situation?<br /><br />If so the cop, in my judgement, should have asked what the emergency was and escorted, as several have suggested.<br /><br />If not, he should have. That is exactly what they are for, but the cop used poor judgement and the judge will probably either throw it out or suspend any penalty.<br /><br />When I had my last heart attack, my neighbor was rushing me to the nearest hospital, 30 miles away, through the center of a small town. She had the flashers on and was beeping the horn. She drove down the center of Main street at about 80. The local cop took one look as we approached, turned on his lights and siren and headed straight for the hospital.<br /><br />The ER Physician later told me I had about 2 minutes left when he got me in the door. Big difference in Police judgement. That one saved a life.<br /><br />Either way, good luck.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: What would ya'll do?

He didn't think about flashers in his personal vehicle. He said the section of interstate he was on was deserted and him being the only vehicle on the road. He stated that while the officer was at the window, the station phone that they have to carry, was going off asking them where they was. They use Nextel to keep in constant communications by the walkie talkie mode so the officer could hear what was going on. I'm going to wait to find out today what the courthouse told him before getting someones butt in a pinch. If it had been either the county or city police, there wouldn't been a problem because they work closely with both departments. Heck, the son even rides around with the county when off duty.

 

[88spl]

Re: What would ya'll do?

If its anything like I went through, the judge will void any entry on his record provided he does not get any tickets within 30 days, but still has to pay the fine......its all $$$$$$$$.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Seems to me the coast guard should have regulations about what to do when driving to the dock when on an emergency call.<br /><br />Even the cops arent supposed to speed that much when on an emergency call.<br /><br />But the cop was a jerk and should have given him an escort, not a ticket.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Scoop]

Re: What would ya'll do?

I hope this is a situation that will bring the change needed to get lights and sirens for the Coast Gaurd. The Coast Gaurd are there to save people's lives just like fire the volunteer fire fighters we have in my town. They should have emergency lights and sirens. I think your son should go to court over the ticket and explain it to the judge. The judge probably will drop the ticket. <br />The officer made a poor call. He should have escorted you son's vehicle to the station. The officer would have done that if someone was having a baby. I can say that for millions of years baby's have been born with no help from hospitals and so it is a less life endangering situation than what your son was responding to.

 

[Beaux]

Re: What would ya'll do?

I agree with you Capt. Ken.... the cop should have immediately escorted him at what the cop felt was a safe speed. When they got to the CG station, if it was B.S., then he would have had every right to arrest your son, since it was real, he should have thanked your son for doing his duty and saving lives. I would think that common sense dictates erring on the side of safety NOT assuming your son was lying. It is not like the cop couldn't find out if it was a lie. Maybe your son can get his C.O. to take it to the cops supervisor and actually get the cops policy changed.... if your son attacks the system/policy instead of the cop, he might be able to save even more lives in the future. If it becomes an attack on the individual cop (although warranted in this case) the cops will probably defend their own and nothing will change. I say this with full respect for L.E. officers as my brother is one. they do have a tough job...not meant to be an excuse- definitely a bad decision was made this time. Good Luck... and thank your son from ALL of us boaters!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: What would ya'll do?

out here in the sticks, most fire dept's are<br />volunteer. they are allowed to have blue flashing<br />lights when they are responding to a call.<br />seems like the CG should have something like this<br />too????

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Hi Capt Ken,<br /><br />When I wan in the Navy stationed in Brunswick Maine, the Navy flew SAR (search and Rescue). When you was on SAR duty, you was required to stay on base in the ON DUTY barracks. It didn't matter if you was married living off base or even staying in the barracks on base, you had to stay at the ON DUTY barracks. This was to cut down the time it took to get into the air once a call was put in.<br /><br />To me sounds like he needs to go to NIS (Naval Investigative Service), they can contact the local to find out what was up and why.<br /><br />Around military bases, most police forces don't care much for the military personnel. Its easy pickings for them. Plus there is alot of times military personnel will use an excuse that involves the military even if it isn't just to try to get out of a ticket. That cop may have been in situations like that before and was snowballed into letting those go, and then find out later he was lied to. Those that lie make it tough on the guys who do tell the truth.<br /><br />I can see both sides of this case, what I would do would be go to the NIS. Good Luck and keep us posted on this, seems real interesting.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: What would ya'll do?

i would advise him to fight the ticket, although getting ncis involved may be overkill. as a naval officer, i've had a few run-ins with the police. some recognize we're all on the same team (just different levels), but some seem to resent that fact and simply don't care. but there are idiots in all walks of life, and i think most cops are good people. any judge that hears the story and sees your son in uniform will throw out the ticket and possibly reprimand the police officer. as a side note, ambulances and fire trucks technically don't have the authority (its not written anywhere) to run traffic lights, but have you ever seen someone stop them? common sense is just hard to find sometimes. take care-

 

[Hooty]

Re: What would ya'll do?

More than a few cops out there are wannabes (jump boots, cammies, etc.). The men and women in the military are the real deal. More than a few cops out there resent this.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[BillBill]

Re: What would ya'll do?

Having gotten about every excuse there is to get out of a ticket, a reasonable officer will be able to discern when somebody is telling the truth. That said, I used to work the stretch between Ft Hood and Ft Polk and got every excuse possible from our men in uniform. Many expected some kind of professional courtesy off duty as well. I will also say that some agencies have a policy that states that a "clear cut and substantial violation will be ticketed" the problem with officer discretion now is that there is video in most cars and supervisors scrutinize the video for errors. Your son was performing a duty that was vital to the safety of the general public. I would approach this two ways, contact the local State police supervisor and explain to him/her what was going on. Also, the judge has the leeway to dismiss any traffic ticket he wants to, approach it that way. I don't know of a prosecutor that would want to take this to a jury. If they won't dismiss it, take it to a jury trial, it is his right and they really don't want that press coverage.<br /><br />Email me and I'll give you some more info.<br /><br />Hootie, actually, it is that attitude that gives some military a bad name with police officers. Two totally different games. The BDU's are more comfortable for special assignments than a uniform. Just like there are wanna be police officers in the military...remember, we are all on the same team.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: What would ya'll do?

well put bill, and good point about the video camera. regardless, i think we all agree he won't be paying the ticket if he goes about it the right way.