CrimeTime Program 025 Enhanced Podcast 
CrimeTime Program 025 - MP3 Download Here
A Florida officer hears the age-old excuse on a traffic stop: "My dad's ill; I was rushing to the hospital!"
But, in this case, it was TRUE!
See what happens in yet another stop recorded on cruiser cam that got international play.
PANELISTS:
- Dr. Angela Wingo, Police Clinician
- Sgt. (Ret.) Richard Simpher, In the Line of Duty Technical Adviser
- Det. Sgt. (Ret.) Mike Guzy, Admin. Asst., St. Louis (MO) Sheriff's Office
- Gregory R. Hawkins, Deputy Chief (Ret.), St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Program Length: 30:00
Comments
On the Tampa Officer's stop:
What did the officer do wrong? He stopped the woman for a lawful reason and she took off--AFTER being directed to stay there. He pursued her, as he should, and then apprehended her. It's a solid arrest! Whether her dad was in the hospital or not, it doesn't justify speeding and it CERTAINLY doesn't justify fleeing from the police. If she would have just waited 3 or 4 minutes, she would have been on her way with a ticket--no biggie. Not to mention, if she was emotionally distraught enough to pull this non-thinking stunt, she shouldn't have been driving! It really disturbed me that none of the panel members mentioned the very significant issue of this lady TOTALLY disregarding the officer's instructions. The officer should not have been disciplined for this incident.
Now, I do realize in the public eye there was a more effective way to handle this. I probably would not have had a problem still releasing her on a ticket, minus the trip to jail. But just because that may have been the best way to do it (in consideration of public relations) doesn't mean the Tampa officer did anything wrong.
What did the officer do wrong? He stopped the woman for a lawful reason and she took off--AFTER being directed to stay there. He pursued her, as he should, and then apprehended her. It's a solid arrest! Whether her dad was in the hospital or not, it doesn't justify speeding and it CERTAINLY doesn't justify fleeing from the police. If she would have just waited 3 or 4 minutes, she would have been on her way with a ticket--no biggie. Not to mention, if she was emotionally distraught enough to pull this non-thinking stunt, she shouldn't have been driving! It really disturbed me that none of the panel members mentioned the very significant issue of this lady TOTALLY disregarding the officer's instructions. The officer should not have been disciplined for this incident.
Now, I do realize in the public eye there was a more effective way to handle this. I probably would not have had a problem still releasing her on a ticket, minus the trip to jail. But just because that may have been the best way to do it (in consideration of public relations) doesn't mean the Tampa officer did anything wrong.
1
October 16, 2007
With regards to making the traffic stop that close to the hospital I would of walked in with her and if her father was there and had a heart attack I would of let her go with a warning. But if I find out later that it wasn't her father I would send her a ticket in the mail as well as file charges for false informing.
2
October 29, 2007
