Re: 911:: A Must Read Story

[Guest guest]

I find that article interesting and sad at the same time.....but I did notice

that the initial call was taken by an " officer " that was working....is that the

norm in that comm center, was this officer on lite duty or over time?

As I initially read it, my first response was why didn't the " dispatcher' tell

him to back off? That's they way we do it...is that not the way we all do it?

I didn't listen to the tape, but I'm wondering if the " officer " felt as if he

was in the veh pursuing the susp and went on those feelings? I really can't say

since it wasn't something I handled.....makes u wonder tho!

Thoughts and prayers to the family of the victim that didn't survive, to the

Officer that witnessed it all, and the " officer " that is dealing with this

incident.

[Guest guest]

My fellow members,

This is a fear that goes on everyday in our agency, people calling in on the

cellular phones telling us of DUI's Hit & Run's and the command officers want us

to keep these people on the phone. months ago I pointed out of an incident

that occurred in California a year ago that same type of incident and that it is

a liablity to the call centers. He response infront of the Comm Center Director

was I don't care what happens any were else when you can keep them on the line

and tell us where they are at.. I want you to do your job and tell them to stay

on the phone, to help us get the criminals.

I told my director later on, when the command officers were gone that I object

to this and that I wanted it noted that I objected to this if a law suit ever

happens.

This is problem that police officers no matter what uniform they wear is

demanding we keep callers in cars on the phone. God help us if the caller

hangs up, the officers demand we call them back. The caller gets tunnel vision

and dont pay attention to anything else, and can have accidents or cause someone

else to be involved in an accident. They could held guilty of the possible

death of an person who is not involved.

Then their defense will be well I was instructed to stay after them while on

the cellular phone.

Just my opinions, no one elses

Tom

East Central Illinois

[Guest guest]

Here is an article with more details about the conversation with the PO

during the chase, the chase itself, and the lawsuit. The opinions of the

family lawyer vs. those of the SO is very interesting.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2004/10/23/local.20041023-sbt-MARS-A1-St\

udent_s.sto

[Guest guest]

, you and someone else have answered in a way that is similar to how our

agency handles these type of calls... we tell the person that we do not require

them to remain behind the susp veh... however, we do ask them that if they plan

to follow the veh they do so safely and let us know updated locations. I don't

believe I've ever had a caller that followed and broke any traffic laws doing

so... they always tell me that the susp is driving too fast and they " lost them "

somewhere. And we certainly never tell them to speed to keep up with the susp

veh... or blow through stops signs/lights... and we never imply that they would

be allowed to do so. Granted, our deputies assume we have kept the caller on

the line and continue to ask us to get info from the caller... once we tell them

that the caller is no longer on the line they don't push for us to call them

back. We are required to gather the callers personal information prior to

disconnect if they are reporting what may be an intoxicated driver (that way we

have witness info in case we find the veh parked somewhere later on... we can

arrest on PC with a witness).

--

Tonya

Telecommunicator and 911 Police/Fire/Medical Dispatcher

Linn Co SO 911 Dispatch

Albany, OR

-------------- Original message --------------

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> On that call about keeping cell phone callers on the line, we also do that

> for possible

> OWI drivers but only if the caller will make a statement, otherwise we get

> off unless they

> agree to stay on just to give an idea if they get off the road they are

> originally traveling on.

> As to the call in Indiana, my sympathies to all involved, but we have told

> the boy to pull over

> as he had the plate. At that point the officer can meet with him and follow

> up and that

> does not put the boy at risk trying to follow someone he doesn't know and

> with no idea

> of how that person will react when they know they are being followed. I

> just thought it

> interesting when you have the most pertinent info, veh type-plt and

> direction, you could

> just go from that then other officers in the area would watch for the

> vehicle and stop if

> necessary instead of a civilian trying to.

>

>

> Sheboygan WI Sheriff Dept