An ambulance should not stop when a patient is on board. The trooper should lose his job. How is the patient now?

As a firefighter of 18 years,a cop who puts his arm,hand or whatever up on my throat like that cop did to the EMT, 2 things are certain,I'll be fired and the cop will be needing the ambulance beacuse I kicked his ass.

I am a Firefigher/Emt of 13 years and depending on the policy that is written for driving an emergency vehicle in the area greatly wieghs on wether or not that EMT is in the right or wrong. That should make the difference. Yes I agree that the officer did you escessive force on a uniformed person. (We are on the same team). A police officer should try using all means and with a clear head make a sound judgement. This is a first for me ever hearing about something of this nature. My opinion is that the office should have followed the ambulance to its destination rather than causing undue and possible complications to the patient being transported. Good judgement was not used here by the officer. As people of the uniformed services we are always in the public eye. The public see's us as hero's. This is a black eye for all to see.
This should be reviewed on both sides and dealt with corrective action.

1. If it comes to the point, where an officer has to pull over an ambulance there has to be a more than serious issue where not only can the patient be in more harm but the safety of the EMT's might be in danger. IE. Prisoner transport.
2. In the video, it looked as if the EMT was resisting arrest and was highly non-compliant with the trooper.
3.EMT "rigs" are mandated to be occupied x 2 EMT's or EMT / Medic. That serves the purpose of any incidents where one or the other is always with the patient.
4. The transport was obviously a non emergency matter since no warning lights were on on the EMT Rig.

see video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La2_volZz-s

I have worked as an EMT and also a Police Officer and never have I witnessed this
kind of behavior. This officer needs to realize that the EMT he is fighting with might be the one responding to save his life. Being Professional goes a long way, how many times have we as citizens witnessed a police officer pass us at a high rate of speed going to work or home that would have landed as a speeding ticket at least!!

I have worked as an EMT and also a Police Officer and never have I witnessed this
kind of behavior. This officer needs to realize that the EMT he is fighting with might be the one responding to save his life. Being Professional goes a long way, how many times have we as citizens witnessed a police officer pass us at a high rate of speed going to work or home that would have landed as a speeding ticket at least!!

Just the same the trooper had no place to go in a hurry also he got to his call and never went more than a few feet when he got there and also go look at the video the emt almost hit another car that was in front of him the emt was having to watch the fool in front of him who almost stoped in front of him and the fool trooper who had no emergency i just wish i new what the emergency was for the trooper in the first place .I just think if the car was not in front of the emt it would have pulled over i think it was a white car . shame shame on the trooper he was in the wrong and yes the trooper should have went to hosp. and talked to emt there and yes if i were the emt i would have been pi$$ed also

he was wrong for stoping the ambulance! i would have blasted a massive fart to show my disgust!!

I believe both individual's behavior are unacceptable. Both had a job to do and neither one were able to accomplished same in a professional and timely manner that the public expect. The only people who suffer by this incident is the reputation of the two local emergency service organization, as well as the millions of EMT and Law enforcement personnel around the nation. The public now as another reason not to trust them or even cast doubt on their abilities to conduct themselevs in a professional and correct manner. Both of them deserves reprimands and prehaps some anger managment counseling. The way the EMT was driving in a non-emergency mode warranted the officer to pull him over. However, from that point on the officer was in control and should have not escalated the situation. Instead he should have deescalted it by taking the EMTs names and reporting their careless driving to their appropriate supervisor. Instead, the officer's pride and ego got in the way and he didnt want or prehaps know how to back down. This happens a lot in law enforcement were we are taught to immediately take control of situations and not to retreat. However, in this case I believe the officer failed to recognize that this was not a situation that called for that type of reaction or behavier. Both of the uniform services need each other and therefore must learn to work together with respect and professionalism.

Did you ever see a cop that wasnt just plain stupid ?

FIRE THE ASS!

Justice is blind? Well, in all the videos I've seen on this incident, the cop is full of rage! Even Ray Charles could see that. Daniel Martin should be fired! Kudos to officers of the law who are not racist like Martin.

To the EMS who thinks that they are man enough to kick a policeman ass, should remember it is the police who have to rescue EMS"s from harm when they get caught in a riot and dangerous situations, so remember that!!!!!

Sure hope the officer doesn't need an EMT. If he does, I hope this is the one that responds.

fire this asshole to many law enforcment people think they are the law but if they would look at the clear picture they merely enforce the law wich is a very different thing tyhis asshole was totaly out of line ands to find a new profetion that would suit him better he should never be aloud to carry a fire arm in his condition ...needs an anger mgmt. class or something?maybe he was abused?.. we need bettrt screening for our policing agencys and i need better typing skills

Why??? Would a State Trooper stop an ambulance, with its lights flashing, there was a paitent in it and the trooper had no ideal the condition of the patient. She could have die while this non sense was going on. Also the ambulance could have been carrying an orgon for a transplant. I know they can communicate by radio and the trooper should have keep his temper and ask the EMT if he need an excort. Thats just my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a police officer and the officer used bad judgement in this case. He should have waited until the ambulance made it to the hospital to insure that the patient is o.k. or he could be looking at something different if the patient died because of this stop. It does not negate the paramedics actions either. This should be discussed on both sides with verbal reprimends, and charles you would'nt be kickin anybody's ass, peace

Seeing the video was enough to make me angry at the officer and wonder why he was even in any law enforcement agency. The EMT offered repeatedly for the officer to meet him at the hospital and the officer was so enraged that he was almost incoherent. Family members were shoved aside when they protested about the delay in taking their relative to the hospital. Frankly, if it had been one of my family members, I would have been screaming and hollering, but these folks kept their cool and caused no problems.

Talk about the need for anger management classes! The officer would seem to be a perfect candidate for one. His actions were despicable.

If you watch the video of the incident you see the cop pull up behind the ambulance at a high rate of speed just as there is a parked car on the shoulder preventing the ambulance from stopping immediately. As soon as the ambulance passes the car on the shoulder you notice it pulls towards the shoulder and allows the cop to pass.

The cop involved should be fired.

You can tell by Bob Dillion comment that hes the guy who hands you a paper towel in the mens room and waits for a tip! What a JACKASS!

You can tell by Bob Dillion comment that hes the guy who hands you a paper towel in the mens room and waits for a tip! What a JACKASS!

How often do we see police abuse? Tasers,tear gas and sensless police beatings.Who investigates the police? THE POLICE. Wake up America.

Why was the ambulance stopped? Anyone know why?
Perhaps there was a ligit reason for it.
Perhaps the ambulance driver was out of line, but thanks to our liberal assed media you never hear
the WHOLE story. Very much like the Rodney King
beating. The media didn't want you to know about the high speed chase he lead police on and his failure to stop. No, hell no, they'd NEVER tell
you THAT cause THAT would be "responsible reporting" and wouldn't be in the interest of
pussy foot America. If I had to make a guess, I
guess that probably the trooper had a valid reason for tangling with his dumb ass. Hell, I almost wish he would have gone a little further and maybe tazed him! haha

I am a former police officer, also trained as an EMT in New Mexico.

To all those that are bad mouthing this officer, you are entitled to your opinions but NOT ONE OF YOU was there to actually VIEW realistic circumstance. Your infantile judgement is derived from what was seen on the news.

As a former police officer, I was crticized about some actions that I took and all I have to say to all of you is if you can do a better job then just try to wear "the badge" and then you might have viable ground to stand on. You have NO idea what officers do everyday while you are at home or work. They are out there putting their lives on the line so that you and yours are safe. Till you wear the badge and can adequately stand in an officer's shoes, your comments are ruthless and less than intelligent.

If you think that you could do a better job, then sign up or shut up.

Mike
Oklahoma City, OK.

Oh my goodness... I watched the video,what in the world. One thing is forsure ,let the ambulance continue to the hospital.If it were the officer's loved one inside needing medical attention,thing's would have ended differently.I seen the I'am Texan officer ,hear me roar,I think his bigotry showed. The EMT reguardless ,if his was purple or green was doing a job.Shame on the officer .I sure hope the EMT and patient are ok.I also feel that all officers involved in the situation should be repermanded ,the main officer should be fired . This is an example of bad versus good policeman. Should show this at training . Thank's ,God Bless

Oh my ,I watched the video ,truly made me sick.Never should the ambulance have stopped ,but after seeing the reaction of the officer ,Iam Texan officer (bigot) hear me roar. It was best for the emt to do so. If it would have been officer's family memeber in the ambulance Iam sure things would have turned out differently. This is a video should been showen at the police academy training . The officer involved should be let go and the rest the were involved should be repermanded.Truly hope the EMY and patient are ok .God Bless

All cops act tough because they have a badge to hide behind. Why dont they just do their job, PROTECT AND SERVE.

All cops act tough because they have a badge to hide behind. Why dont they just do their job, PROTECT AND SERVE.

Cops don"t hide behind their badge R.K. they wear it proudly. When you and the others run from a dangerous situation we run towards it. So go hide behind you "Mouse" where your safe! If you were able to make the grade you would but the toughest thing you do is type. GUTTLESS!

I think they were both out of control and both should have some unpaid leave time to think about it

A policeman has the right to stop any vehicle under any and all conditions. A police officer is always aware of protecting against bodily harm to himself and others and is so highly trained he knew the patient would survive as his need to conduct a thorough investigation commenced. You can be assured that if this or any officer deemed it worthy to stop and hold an ambulance- even if the passenger dies- then it was the correct decision as officers are the most highly trained professionals in this world. The officer performed his duty admirably under extreme duress. His only mistake is not using non-lethal force (tasing or a billy-club) to subdue the two perps in the ambulance for disrespecting an officer of the law. It is so unfortunate that our police do not wear masks as they patrol the dangerous streets to protect us- what about protecting their identity via mask so they dont have to take suspension with pay for doing their civic duty of serving and protecting us from each other!

Mr. W caused all of this. Billy Bad AZZ

Ok I have seen alot of idiotic comments that go with the actions of the people on this video.
#1 Did anyone happen to notice that the Ambulance had no emergency lights on?
#2 Did anyone notice that the ambulance pulled over as soon as it was safe to do so? The white car made it a little unsafe for the ambulance to directly pull over.
#3 Anyone notice that the cop had plenty of room to go around the ambulance(clear lane) if he chose to.
I feel after watching this with my brother and discussing it (he was a perimedic for 20+ years) that they need to sit both of the "public servants" down and open a discussion with them. Maybe if that cops mother, wife, ect had been in that ambulance he would be a little less testy.

Try walking in their shoes for a while.i think both should be a little more professional. with the druggies and the drunks they deal with on an hourly basis somes times its difficult to be civil.

Alton, did you have anything to do with this? lol

The difference between a Cop and a Criminal? Not much! A Cop walks a fine line of power. He or She can step over the line at any time and I wouldn't doubt that all of them have. Cops are nothing more than Egotistical,Control Freaks that we gave additional power to. No folks I'm all for Vigilante justice so don't piss me off!!

The difference between a Cop and a Criminal? Not much! A Cop walks a fine line of power. He or She can step over the line at any time and I wouldn't doubt that all of them have. Cops are nothing more than Egotistical,Control Freaks that we gave additional power to. No folks I'm all for Vigilante justice so don't piss me off!!

The difference between a Cop and a Criminal? Not much! A Cop walks a fine line of power. He or She can step over the line at any time and I wouldn't doubt that all of them have. Cops are nothing more than Egotistical,Control Freaks that we gave additional power to. No folks I'm all for Vigilante justice so don't piss me off!!

The difference between a Cop and a Criminal? Not much! A Cop walks a fine line of power. He or She can step over the line at any time and I wouldn't doubt that all of them have. Cops are nothing more than Egotistical,Control Freaks that we gave additional power to. No folks I'm all for Vigilante justice so don't piss me off!!

Has anyone really took notice lately but there always seems to be a camera or cell phone around when it is a white official (no matter what the job is)and a black person whether it be a man or woman. I am sure and know first hand that all races experience the same treatment bad or good but you never hear about it unless it involves a black person. Same thing with mr high and mighty harvard.

I saw the dashboard video...this was apalling to say the least. I hope the patient was O.K. when they finally arrived at the hospital. An ambulance with a patient on board should never stop. If that patient died, this keystone cop would be in more doo doo than he is now. I agree with EMT Maurice the cop should lose his badge.

Wayne the brain you submitted your comment (4) thats four times! Apparently your brain power is that of a toad! And I would love to Piss you off because I doubt you would step up to the challenge! Your just another IDIOT with too much time on your hands!

Everybody also has to remember if you did'nt already know, the trooper had his wife with him when he pulled over the ambulance. The trooper was hell bent and showing off in a very unprofessional way which accelerated to being out of control. The video speaks for it's self. Yes there is good and bad out there, even cops.
This is one way to weed them out, the power of the dash cam. Fire HIM!

John M, the problem with people that make statements like that the brain is that never back it up with the individual, they always go after friends and family

Obviously race does not matter. Paramedics and Officers are both type A personalities. The officer should have allowed the Paramedics to continue on to the hospital and then followed up. The medics could have then filed complaints if they chose and the officer could have done the same. The patients safety was compramised. As for JOHN M. Obviously you are not a PUBLIC SERVANT! WE ALL ARE Police Fire EMS We all run towards danger WE ALL do, Dont be naive.

John M, I meant to say that the problem with people who make statements like that of the brain is that the person never takes it up with the individual, they always go after friends or family

Can you say spell check

Does anybody proof read anymore?

I just watched a video on youtube.com- This was a blantant misuse of power! No WONDER people DO NOT TRUST COPS!!! I'd rather take it up with a convict than a trooper.... at least then, it'd be fair.
ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ABUSES THEIR POWER SHOULD BE CONFINED IN A ROOM FULL OF THE PEOPLE THEY'VE WRONGED- NOW THAT'S JUSTICE!

Another thing- After going through training as an EMT, We were told, that No matter if the lights are flashing or not- IF there is a patient in transport, it qualifies as an emergency; therefore- after the paramedic informed the trooper that they had a patient, the Trooper should have just simply taken names, and brought it to the attention of the proper authorities, and let the ambulance be on its way. But, How the heck did the driver warrant a pull-over? I didn't see anything wrong. Also, there are times police use their lights & sirens to pass through red lights.. just to make it to the coffee shop before it closes... and an ambulance doesn't "yeild" while transporting a patient and gets pulled over?? This is just STUPID-

The police should change their moto from "To protect and serve" to "To lie in wait". But remember, all police are not bad. But when they are, get rid of them!!

for the cop who thinks he is gods gift to society,i say can his but ,and remember when some thug beats your hiney ,its the emts job to scrape your keester of the pavement.cops provoke people everyday,,they tailgate you to make you nervous,but will issue a citation if you tailgate.bake in my drug days ,ive even purchased pot for cops,,,ive even been robbed by the police,so for all you so called good cops ,im sure theres alot,,,you better check your commrades,or homies,,you all act like a gang anyway ,,many of you have put your fellow cops at risk by making yourselves above the law and thats why in a major city ,a cop gets injured and no citizen will help,,,oh yeah call an emt.

Fire the officer and sew him

I agree Daniel Martins should be fired! And I'm glad that President Obama spoke out about the long history of police brutality, toward people of color, espeacially black men. We see it all the time where young blacks are tased, shot, and killed at the hands of some high strung cop. Black people don't trust the police because most of them are nothing more than the k.k.k. And they get away with because of their badge. They believe it's o.k. to beat, tase, shoot, and kill people of color, they're suppose to protect and serve, not terrorize people. The only thing missing is the white sheets with the eyes cut out!!!!!!

all this about police and EMTS, but the bottom line here is that they both do important jobs.. the problem with the police is that wherever you go they truly believe that they are better than everyone else and they are not, they are Equal! the police first of all , in this situation should have followed to the hospital , than investigate, but he thinks oh im a cop, how dare him not stop, im a cop, stop! hey cop, how about the patient, did you ever think about the condition of the patient? again, cops think they can do anything to anyone and little by little they get caught.. now they should fire the cop and offer him a job as an EMT. end of story. hey i come from the FDNY in NYC so trust me when i tell you that the police officer in this situation is way out of control. if it was not an ambulance he pulled over, who knows, he may have shot dead the poor person. hey cops grow up and wake up,, you are only a little police officer with a fat belly ok... now wake up and smell the coffee.

This is for mr. or mrs scott I am a police officer, and I have never seen any one act the way this trooper did in the video. you sir are just plain old racist. every thing you have said let me know that racisim is still alive and well in these United States no matter what your education level is. This is a sad time for all of us that wear a uniform. the madness need to stop now once and fro all. get some religon.

Let me enlighten some of the folks here. I was born and raised there in okfuskee county.So for you unbelievers just move there and you will eventually find out yourself on how the police are there. Don't get me wrong there are a FEW good ones there. I moved from there years ago,because of harrasment and police that thought there badge protected them from anything.I will not ever move there even if it was the only place to live. I'm 48 years old now.I still have relatives there and worry every time I go to see them if I'm going to make it out of there without any problems.Now since this has happened I will not be going there for quite awhile.And nothing ever happens to them about it.I was going into town and stopped on the side of the road to pick up a friend that was walking to town.County officer passed us going the same way.I dropped my friend off where he wanted to go.And then went to my wife's sister's house and got surrounded by O.H.P--COUNTY--AND CITY POLICE.They said I was following A police officer.I told the O.H.P. Trooper that the county officer passed me on the highway. He didn't want to here that.The county officer pulled up and jerked the O.H.P.'s door open and was cussing me and pointing his finger right in my face.I was going to get out to confront the county officer and was fisically put back in the troopers car.I asked If I was under arrest.The tropper told me If wanted to he would any time he got ready to.So I told the tropper if I wasn't under arrest then I was getting out of the car and going on about my business.I attemted to get out of the car and again fisically put back in the car.So I was stopped- harrassed threaten to be put in jail any time the trooper wanted to even if I did nothing wrong. I have never been arrested for anything.All I have on my record is two speeding tickets.So all of you unbeliever's take it from me it is true.

this is to mrs or mr steve. you need to read all the post. As I said earlier the officer used bad judgement and should be reprimended. Still it does not excuse the emt's behavior. But then again as you said I am a racist, oh yea I can't find religion because I must be an atheist too. get a life

I have one and it is full of love for black and white peopl. love for all you hate some one for the color of thier skinn, you are just dumb as hell. you are the one that need to get a life I pray for the day I meet an asshole like you face to face so that i can beat your dumb racist ass.

Hi; I would hold my mouth before I take the side of our Mr. Gates. I find in reading your article that you have found the police officer wrong. I would advise you to wait till the tapes are released concerning this incident. In this part of the New England we are more shocked by the statement by the President. It would seem that both the President and Mr. Gates have made racist remarks concerning this incident. The President has enough to worry about when addressing the public on his Health Care Bill on Nationl Television to make a sad remark on the arrest of Mr. Gates.

i emailed a letter to the lieutenant of the oklahoma state police expressing my shock, disbelief and lack of professional conduct of his trooper that day. i saw the video from msn.com and although it may not have shown "everything", i did see the trooper put his hands on the paramedic's throat. no reply or comment from the lieutenant or anyone in charge at the ok state police. shame on you osp!

i emailed a letter to the lieutenant of the oklahoma state police expressing my shock, disbelief and lack of professional conduct of his trooper that day. i saw the video from msn.com and although it may not have shown "everything", i did see the trooper put his hands on the paramedic's throat. no reply or comment from the lieutenant or anyone in charge at the ok state police. shame on you osp!

You have met an asshole, you look everyday in the mirror, and you sir are definitely not in law enforcement, when someones opinion sparks a fire under your ass to lower yourself to the same kind of act that this topic is about. Also get my name out your mouth, you are the one spreading hatred.

I agree with the post that most police officers do a good job and work under dangers conditions. The thing that bothers me is this brotherhood thing of protecting each other even though they know their fellow officer did wrong. If they have any ethics they would never let themselves do this. The bad part with Gates is there is no dash cam so we don't know the truth. However it is kind of like Polosi and the CIA, if you look at their past records with the American public you believe Polosi. If you look at past records here you believe Gates. I really don't know myself without more facts.

John Wayne Lives on

Why would a firefighter not be able to kick a police officers ass? eh Scott? sounds like you too maybe just a little full of yourself, but your an officer of the law, so that need not surprise me..
It is not against the law to resist an unlawful arrest, and if that means taking a police officer to the ground than so be it!!!, I hate to break it to you Scott, but your a public servant, have you forgotten? Take away the Badge, and the Gun, and your just a man, no different than me or anyone else, your there to SERVE, and PROTECT,
and that's it... Lose your ego, it does not serve you well. These people swear an Oath, not to you and me the public, but to the Constitution of the United States, That Constitution, is in place to protect the rights of you and me the public, It seems to me that when they violate those very rights, the same ones they swore an Oath to protect, that they should be punished SEVERELY.

I totally agree with you, but if you remember you were the one who said you would be kicking someones ass

Change the race. Make the cop black and the medic white. You would never have seen this on the news or the net.

I know of an incident that occured a number of years ago. It involved the beating of a black kid by the police. The news hyped it up... ticklers throughout the day... film at eleven... the naacp was fueling the fire as well.

Eleven came and went. No film, no story, no hype. Turns out the cop was black. Suddenly no story there. Racism lives on and it aint whitey folks.

CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG !!!!!!

Police sware an oath to a higher standard. It is very plain that the officer was upset about being flipped off hence making this personal. His language and actions do not represent the higher standard and oath he took. No community can tolerate this kind of action ever.

im sick of the 'bad judgement was used by the police officer' crap. It is virtually imposssible for a police officer to have poor judgement because the lawman has authority over everyone in every situation-a lawman upholds the law- and what a lawman says-goes. The worst that can happen to an officer-of-the-law is self imposed by internal affairs- an inner dept. 'investigation' done by fraternity brothers resulting in suspesion w/ pay! The lawman controls everything in every situation. After reading these posts against this brave enforcer of the peace I feel the need to reiterate the importance of contacting your congressman urging that legislation be passed for our policeman to wear black masks so that they may enforce law and order w/o this ridiculous civilian feedback! It is so wrong to hurt the careers of such great and noble men. You are all too gutless to be officers and risk your life every day to preserve law and order. Period.

He put the badge on knowing the oath live it or get out of it

this

it is deplorable that the police officer would act in this fashion; black or white it's just wrong. As a Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic for 15 years we all know the rules and regulations and whats right from wrong.. the cop did agitate the ems personnel which caused it to escalate beyond repair but the emt should have let the cop do whatever he felt he needed to do,document the delay in the patient report and contact the EEOC and sue the hell out of the cop and the police department... its gotta STOP

When do police officers have to control their emotions especially anger? They arrest and abuse people because they do not act in a way they think is appropriate but when do they have to be held accountable? Obviously this officer has serious issues with anger and is a danger to EVERYONE whether he is on duty or not. Anyone not in uniform would have been jailed and considered to have some mental illness to act this way. I do not care how mouthy someone gets to an officer - abuse is never an acceptable response! Maybe this officer should stop and use his brain for once and understand what the EMT was trying to do in taking care of a patient. Police do not understand they have a bad reputation because they earned it. If you do not like your reputation then do the right things and change it!

maybe the officer should get a job doing underwater basket weaving

I think the cop that assaulted the EMT should quit his job and start a band. He should name it Mickey Rourke's butthole.

Lets see who stops to pick his sorry rear end up off the highway when he needs medical help. Anger management / road rage therapy are need within the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. First and foremost is the patients welfare, here is a Trooper that didn't give a rats butt, and for of all things failure to yield. Guess the next time the State/Local Police fail to yield then the fire and ambulance need to attack them

In this incident the Trooper should be terminated, on conduct unbecoming of an officer. As Police Officers, we are trained to de escalate a situation, and to keep a calm demeanor. In my years of Law Enforcement, You have to remember those emt's might be the ones coming to save your life one day. If this Trooper cannot handle a motor vehicle stop, then I would hate to see how he would react to a more critical encounter. More cops today need to realize there is more to policing than motor vehicle stops, and tickets. More emphasis needs to be placed on Police Community Relations. Fellow Officer, you are in the wrong, plain and simple. I have never pulled over an ambulance or even thought about it. Police, Fireman, emts/paramedics gotta be given some professional courtesty. As if Police Officers dont have enough bad press, now this guy pulls over an ambulance ,,too much!! Reset assurred citizens that this type of behavior is very rare, and all the cops I have worked with and have known are all Top Notch Men & Women..

In this incident the Trooper should be terminated, on conduct unbecoming of an officer. As Police Officers, we are trained to de escalate a situation, and to keep a calm demeanor. In my years of Law Enforcement, You have to remember those emt's might be the ones coming to save your life one day. If this Trooper cannot handle a motor vehicle stop, then I would hate to see how he would react to a more critical encounter. More cops today need to realize there is more to policing than motor vehicle stops, and tickets. More emphasis needs to be placed on Police Community Relations. Fellow Officer, you are in the wrong, plain and simple. I have never pulled over an ambulance or even thought about it. Police, Fireman, emts/paramedics gotta be given some professional courtesty. As if Police Officers dont have enough bad press, now this guy pulls over an ambulance ,,too much!! Reset assurred citizens that this type of behavior is very rare, and all the cops I have worked with and have known are all Top Notch Men & Women..

The behavior displayed by the officer is one of the reasons why each level of government that has law enforcement departments needs to have an elected citizens review board that is empowered to recommend disciplinary action to the appropriate governmental body.

Cops suck period

In the case of transporting a heart attack patient... Sirens are not to be used as it adds to the anxiety of the patient.

Ambulances have the right away as does law enforcement units "ONLY" if the right of way is ceded to them. They can run red traffic lights (with caution) only "IF" their sirens and lights are flashing. But again, ONLY if they are given the right of way do they "have" the right of way. If the emergency vehicle running a red light accidents with a vehicle who has the right of way, the emergency vehicle is "legally" at fault.

Here is a surprise tidbit for everyone I think.

What vehicle has the unquestionable right of way over all other vehicles, emergency or otherwise?

Or did at one time unless the law has been changed.

Answer!

A clearly marked postal vehicle.

Nothing is to stand in the way of the delivery of the nation's mail. Look it up if you don't believe me.

In the case of transporting a heart attack patient... Sirens are not to be used as it adds to the anxiety of the patient.

On a run I was on the trooper followed us to the hospital 25 miles away as a traffic violation appeared to be involved. The trooper told us, and I quote here "you can tell me what you want me to do and I will do it", UNTIL we get to the hospital and your responsibility to your patient is completed, but then you belong to ME!" Unquote. Possible driving under the influence.

Ambulances have the right away as does law enforcement units "ONLY" if the right of way is ceded to them. They can run red traffic lights (with caution) only "IF" their sirens and lights are flashing. But again, ONLY if they are given the right of way do they "have" the right of way. If the emergency vehicle running a red light accidents with a vehicle who has the right of way, the emergency vehicle is "legally" at fault.

Here is a surprise tidbit for everyone I think.

What vehicle has the unquestionable right of way over all other vehicles, emergency or otherwise?

Or did at one time unless the law has been changed.

Answer!

A clearly marked postal vehicle.

Nothing is to stand in the way of the delivery of the nation's mail. Look it up if you don't believe me.

In the case of transporting a heart attack patient... Sirens are not to be used as it adds to the anxiety of the patient.

On a run I was on the trooper followed us to the hospital 25 miles away as a traffic violation appeared to be involved. The trooper told us, and I quote here "you can tell me what you want me to do and I will do it", UNTIL we get to the hospital and your responsibility to your patient is completed, but then you belong to ME!" Unquote. Possible driving under the influence.

Ambulances have the right away as does law enforcement units "ONLY" if the right of way is ceded to them. They can run red traffic lights (with caution) only "IF" their sirens and lights are flashing. But again, ONLY if they are given the right of way do they "have" the right of way. If the emergency vehicle running a red light accidents with a vehicle who has the right of way, the emergency vehicle is "legally" at fault.

Here is a surprise tidbit for everyone I think.

What vehicle has the unquestionable right of way over all other vehicles, emergency or otherwise?

Or did at one time unless the law has been changed.

Answer!

A clearly marked postal vehicle.

Nothing is to stand in the way of the delivery of the nation's mail. Look it up if you don't believe me.

In the case of transporting a heart attack patient... Sirens are not to be used as it adds to the anxiety of the patient.

On a run I was on the trooper followed us to the hospital 25 miles away as a traffic violation appeared to be involved. The trooper told us, and I quote here "you can tell me what you want me to do and I will do it", UNTIL we get to the hospital and your responsibility to your patient is completed, but then you belong to ME!" Unquote. Possible driving under the influence.

Ambulances have the right away as does law enforcement units "ONLY" if the right of way is ceded to them. They can run red traffic lights (with caution) only "IF" their sirens and lights are flashing. But again, ONLY if they are given the right of way do they "have" the right of way. If the emergency vehicle running a red light accidents with a vehicle who has the right of way, the emergency vehicle is "legally" at fault.

Here is a surprise tidbit for everyone I think.

What vehicle has the unquestionable right of way over all other vehicles, emergency or otherwise?

Or did at one time unless the law has been changed.

Answer!

A clearly marked postal vehicle.

Nothing is to stand in the way of the delivery of the nation's mail. Look it up if you don't believe me.

I think people are looking at various videos but if you look at the most "neutral" one it is very telling: The dash cam video from the police officers car.

1. You clearly see the police car come on on the ambulance very fast, the ambulance swerves to avoid a car on the side of the road, the ambulance than pulls to the side to allow the police car to pass. There is ZERO indication the ambulance was doing anything wrong.

2. When the office "came back" to pull over the ambulance you clearly hear one of the attendants say "There is a patient in this unit right now" to which the officer replies, in a angry "rising voice" tone: "Ok, do you want to pull over when there is an emergency vehicle behind you?" It is very clear the officer is already pissed off and has some sort of chip on his shoulder...the attendant is still calm. There is now talk about the officer coming up on the vehicle very quickly to which the officer loudly responds "I did NOT run up on you quickly buddy!". The attendant responds "Yes you did" and the officer now says to the rear cab attendant "You better get butt back in that ambulance before you get your butt to jail now. You understand me!?!" Now this is where all hell breaks loose - very calmly you hear "We gonna get our patient to the hospital. You can take me to jail, we'll discuss this ok?" and at this point he start to walk away but the officer turn to the other attendant and says something such as "yeah we'll discuss this...Come here Paul" and now, still calm but aggravation clearly setting in, the attendant who was walking aways goes back to drivers aid saying "No, No - I got a patient in this..." at which point the officer cuts him off, grabs the attendant, spins him around and pushes him against the ambulance while saying "Get your ass...turn around!" and now there is lots of screaming - the officer screaming "Turn around!!!" over and over as the attendant try to explain the officer is now assaulting him and, again, no family members approach - yelling "My wife in is this car!" And in the midst of the screaming officer you can clearly hear the attendent, trying to remain calm, repeating over and over "I've got a patient in this unit".

It goes on - and you see the man who shot the now infamous cell phone video walk up *after* the above has already happened and start shooting.

It is beyond clear from the dash cam video that the officer caused this mess, he clearly was the instigator and clear he was way out of line. Even during this screaming and shoving you can clearly hear the attendent saying to follow them to the hospital and than deal with it.

What most people have seen and comment on is the cell phone video which shows an officer yelling into the ambulance "You're under arrest buddy!" and the attendent getting out of the ambulance and saying, to other officers that have now arrived, that he will be pressing charges against the officer for assault. At which point the first officer grabs the attendants finger and twists it around causing the entire thing to start up again.

Should the officer loose his badge? I don't know about that - but clearly he put his own ego and "I have a gun and a badge, I make the rules attitude" above a life. He should be put behind a desk for sure, have anger management classes, and re-take training on how to handle high pressure (If you can really call this "high pressure" - if he acted like this here it is scary to think how he would have responded to a real high pressure emergency) situations. Form watching the dash cam video I am highly impressed at how calm the EMT's were during all of this.

If this is a story about a police officer, why is a PINKERTON SECURITY badge shown?! That "eye" emblem means "We never sleep". Tube Raider should raid a Galls catalog and find a legitimate police badge.

Just a quick add on - I left out the start of this all. As soon as the officer pulls them over it is clear he has an attitude. He yells to the ambulance something that sounds like "Here! Now!" and then the attendent gets out of the rear cab and asks what is the problem to which the officer say to get back inside because he is talking to the driver. (Who at this point is just stepping outside and has not even walked into this conversation) The attendent (Maurice White) makes the first attempt to explain to the officer that he is in charge of the unit but is cut off by the officer yelling "NO! You better get back in that ambulance, I'm talking to the driver!" (Who at this point is now standing there). It is explained once gain that he (Maurice White) "is in charge of this unit, sir" to which the officer seems to listen and calmly says "OK" but as Mr White continues the officer ignores what is being said and instead starts to yell at the driver - who at the point in time has said nothing at all. Some of the comments here say the EMT's are out of line and the officer is "doing his job" but explain to me how, at this point, the EMT's have done anything wrong, especially the driver who is just standing there at this point, saying nothing, and is suddenly verbally attacked by a police officer yelling at him "I AIN'T GONNA PUT UP WITH THAT SHIT YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!?!?" I think it is more than appropriate the reaction by Maurice White to this yelling officer was: "And I won't put up with you talking to my driver like that." Instead of the officer calming down and saying he is sorry so raising his voice and yelling what doe she do? He yell some more - "I ain't Listening to you buddy!!! You get your ass back in that ambulance or I'll take you in!! I'm talking to driver" (And again - at this point the driver has said nothing - the officer was not "talking" to him - he was yelling at him) Now the office says "Come over here Paula" and the driver says something important - "No, we got a patient...going to the ER" and Maurice White talks at the same time saying "No, we have a patient in the unit right now..." Both of them are still very calm - it is very clear it is the officer who is not calm. I have already discussed what follows above.

Having proudly served in Emergency Services as a Law Enforcement Officer and an EMT for thirty-eight years I can only shake my head in disbelief at this video. All emergency sevices personnel are trained to maintain a cool, clam and collect demeanor until the fecal matter hits the fan. Then and only then take control for the benefit of the people we serve. I can only think that the officer involved was having a bad day and he should not be taking that to the streets with him. As far as the EMS units driver, there is never a clear indicator of why a traffic stop was necessary in the video. I can only hope that the EMS units driver jumped into the patient compartment otherwise if the patient was that border line why did the Medic abandon his patient? The bottom line is that Law Enforcement and EMS received black eyes because of this video. It is rough enough acquiring the respect of the citizens we serve without this kind of behavior. I can only pray that the public doesn't believe we all act like this.

Um--sorry for the typos. The obvious typo in my last post should read: Now the officer says "Come over here Paul" and NOT [Now the office says "Come over here Paula"]

Start holding police accountable for their actions and you might have less issues like this. The problem is police do whatever they want and they always get away with it. It's not about race. The police disrespect everyone because most of them think they are about the law and the law allows it.

i believe the officer should be fired immediatly .i also agree he was hiding behind that badge and thinks he is above everyone else .that officer was doing absolutly nothing to protect the public he just felt like somebody pissed in his wheaties,and ended up just acting like a bitch.i applaude the abulance superviser for standing up for his driver and not backing down from the hysterical cop that seriously isnt competent enough to work as mall security much less as a trooper .i def would feel much safer if they took his badge his gun and his ego and kicked them straight up his better than tho ass

Good Grief! Reading the drivel put out by some of you blithering idiots is more humorous than watching a whole night of comedy on TV. The stereotyping is hilarious. (All cops suck, Cops are nothing more than egotistical control freaks, etc...) There are about three sensible comments in the whole pile. The rest is simply a matter of someone blindly passing judgement based on the limited information presented in a news clip. Let us not defend or condemn either the officer or the ambulance personnel until all the information available has been presented and objectively analyzed. That's the way the courts have to do it. But, then, this is not the courts. This is an open forum, where any lame brained imbecile with a computer can run off at the mouth. It's a wonderful source of entertainment, but it is a little scary to think these same lame brained imbeciles are out there voting in elections and serving on juries.

what is the difference between an ambulance and a fire truck due to they are both emergency vehicles one is to put out a fire in case there were people in their and the other is to care for ill or injured people. The police job is to protect and serve so the officer should have had enough sense to shut his pie hole and listen to the emt.If that was any of my family members in the back end of the ambulance.I would have literally kicked the shit out of him and he would have had to join the person that was already in the back.with his actions i think that he should have had to go back thru the police academy training on how to deal wth situations like this one.Is that officer a retard or just wanted to show the emt who was boss.

if a cop knows how to do his job by the book then he would have never pulled over an emt vehicle. of course the retired police officer would say that but now he can because that wasnt HIS MOTHER in the back of an ambulance it was someone elses but wait till one of HIS FAMILY MEMBER needs an emt transporter and it is pulled over and then we will see his response to that one. what would he do if his family member was in the back end and they died because of a cop that wanted to show his authority over another emergency. that cop should have been in front escorting the emt vehicle and not pulling him over.WELL DUH, IF THE IS AN EMERGENCY, THAT AMBULANCE HAD EVERY RIGHT THAT HE DOES IN THE STATE OF AN EMERGENCY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS IN THE BACK. thank god he isnt in iowa working as a police officer, because we would be screwed

@Retired Police Officer - I can agree about the "blindly passing judgment based on the limited information presented in a news clip", I even said the same thing in another manner in my post. However if you truly believe that only three posts are not "blindly passing judgment" than I ask you to comment on anything that I said in my posts - watch the full dash cam video and give your detailed feedback. Do you feel the officer was out of line in this?

It needs to be pointed out that the officer was given a slap on the wrist in the form of 5 days suspension without pay. He has also been order to "undergo anger management assessment". Matter of fact it seems that, in part, the OHP has the same opinion that I have - that the officer's "demeanor and language were unprofessional and contrary to what is expected of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper". However I still disagree that the EMT's did anything wrong. Again - simply look at the entire dash cam video. The way the officer is acting, yelling at people - not just the EMTS - it is fairly clear who is not in control. Also there is never any indication of any sort of "obscene gesture" yet this is now what the OHP is claiming gave the officer the right to pull the ambulance over along with the "failure to yield" to an emergency vehicle. The dash cam clearly tosses out the "failure to yield" claim but we are left with the gesture part. My question on that is - seeing how the officer is ranting and yelling about failure to yield and obstruction of justice if there really were a finger flipped, base don what is clearly heard, I have no doubt the officer would have been screaming about "Flipping me the bird" or "Giving me the finger" instead of the one time any gesture was mentioned - saying/yelling/asking/stating this: "I'm gonna give you a ticket for failure to yield and when I go by you saying (officer makes gesture with arms, shrugging shoulders) 'Whats goin' on?' you don't need to be giving me no hand gestures now a'right? (Now officer raising voice - driver is not saying anything, nor is the other EMT at this point) I AIN'T GONNA PUT UP WITH THAT SHIT YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!?!?" And that is it - no other mention about this "gesture" at all for the rest of this dash cam video.

Sadly it is now a he said/she said issue because we have no video showing any sort of 'obscene gesture' only one officer saying that the driver made an obscene gesture and the driver saying he did no such thing. Some can say "Well of course the driver is going to say that..." and some will say "Of course the cop is going to say that" so whose is right? I don't know - but, again, the officer clearly was doing somehting else in a hurry - he speeds to this gas station, pulls in and leaves almost instantly to pull back out and now chase the ambulance. What was the officers point in all of this? Why was this ambulance suddenly far more important that this crime scene he was speeding too? Yelling at the driver at one point the officer says: "You're not running code. You're not running an emergency ok? A'right? I didn't just get in behind you and tailgate you and turn on my red lights and siren, I've been going hot over here trying to help the county out you understand?!?!?!" Whatever it was, at this point, clearly doesn't seem to be worse than the high crimes these EMT's have done because this Officer did not do ANYTHING to help "the county out" at the gas station.

Form the lawsuit it claims the officer pulled into the gas station, never got out of the car, and picked up a "female passenger". There have also been reports that there was a "female" in the front seat and another report that says this female was/is the officers wife. The cell phone video does, indeed, show someone sitting in the passenger seat of the officers car. On the dash cam video you clearly hear a door open and close at the gas station and a female voice says something like "What happened?" just as the officer pulls back out to go after the ambulance. Was the emergency to pick up his wife? Was she in the car the entire time? I would like to hear more about this because it must surely have bearing on why this officer had the attitude when he stepped out of the vehicle to confront the EMT's.

Thank you, Dave for your commentary. You are one of the few who have posted on this issue who has actually tried to analyze a few things, rather than just shoot from the hip and castigate this officer and all other officers who have ever worn the badge and who ever will wear the badge. You're also one of the few who has some command of the English language.

Many times during my long career, people commented to me that they wouldn't have my job for any money. My reply was, "Neither would I! If you think I'm in this job for the money, you're crazy." There are bad apples in every profession. There are bad doctors, bad psychiatrists, bad priests and ministers, and bad everything else. And there are good officers who lose their cool and make stupid mistakes, just like there are good umpires who make bad calls. That doesn't excuse it or justify it. It's the bad officers and the good officers who make bad decisions that get the attention of the news media. Unfortunately, the stain from those bad officers and bad decisions spreads across the entire profession. There are a few who are in the profession because the pay and benefits are pretty good, and there are a few who are in the profession for the power and the glory. Believe me, in this day and age, a police officer has very little power, and even less glory. Most of the men and women who stick it out for a long career are in it for only one reason. They want to make a difference. They want to help people. They're not there to try to make everybody happy, because they know very well that if they do their job the way they're supposed to do their job, they are, from time to time, going to make some people very unhappy.

Getting down to the answer to your question, I would agree that if this entire issue were to be judged from what we can see on the video, it certainly does appear that the officer went over the line. Way over. His conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional, his language totally unacceptable. What we can't see in the video is the why. What triggered that conduct? Yes, it appears that he just plain lost control of himself. But is there more to it than that? That's where we have to be careful and investigate all the details before passing final judgement. You suggested as much in your posts, and I appreciate that. I could tell you hundreds of horror stories from more than a quarter century in law enforcement about the consequences of rushing to judgement. The news media and the Monday morning quarterbacks have ruined the careers of many good officers by trying the officer instead of the criminal, and judging him guilty without a trial. Even if later exonerated by the courts, his career is damaged beyond repair. Thanks again, Dave, for the thoughtful commentary.

For those interested here is the full letter issued to the officer. http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/OHP%20Discipline%20letter.pdf

On the one hand they make it very clear he was unprofessional and the way he approached the EMT's was unnecessary; that his use of profanity was also unprofessional and unnecessary; his failure to inquire about the patient in the ambulance "can not be excused" and that any action(s) needed should have been/could have been dealt with at the hospital.

TO me the far more disturbing part is how the OHP, first, try to back up the officers initial actions were justified makes me wonder who viewed this dash board video. it says a review of the tape proved the stop for a failure to yield was "justified". (No mention in the letter of a other car that, in the same video, is clearly in front of the ambulance that caused the ambulance to swerve to avoid before pulling over to allow the officer to pass). Next, aside form the "middle finger" comment, this letter compressing most of the situation by saying that the EMT (White) was under arrest for "obstructing" and that he was "resiting arrest" thusly the use of force was justified. I am sorry but I have watched and re watched this video and do not see any EMT make the first move, so to speak, or to "resist arrest". it is extremely clear that there wa sno real "invitaion" to anyone at first - only this iffice getting out of his car yelling at someone "Here! Now!" and it happened to be Maurice White who came "here! Now!" and even commented as such and withing the first minute or so both Paul, the driver, and Maurice clearly inform the officer there is a patient inside. This is before ANY physical altercation takes place. According to this OHP letter the officer was "twice advised" about this patient in the "initial stages" - so I say lets put that fact into perspective with the rest of the letter. Seriously - using the OHP's own words - once informed of the patient "it would have been more reasonable and more appropriate to immediately allow the ambulance to continue to the hospital." If that were the case than, beneath all of this "deflecting" the OHP is doing in this letter, the officer is at fault for everything that followed. Watch the dash cam video - listen to the dialog - it is *after* the officer is informed not once, not twice, but at least for the third or possibly fourth time that there is a ptient the officer *Still* wants to pursue this issue - and it is *after* Maurice White WALKS AWAY saying, very clearly and calmly "We gonna get our patient to the hospital. You can take me to jail, we'll discuss this ok?" that the officer grabs Maurice and screams at him to "TURN AROUND!" - all the while Marice is saying he has a patient and all the while the office showing total disregard for that fact.

It is really no wonder why a lawsuit had been filed against the officer because, once you see this letter, it is clear that 1 + 1 is not adding up. Punishment is a "token" because of the media interest. Lots of "hidden" agenda wording in this letter, making attempts to "punish" the officer while still making it look as though the EMTs were at fault. At one point the letter states "While both members EMT team may have abandoned their patient during this time and failed to provide you specific information regarding the patient, your lack of inquiry into the welfare of the patient can not be excused." Look at it - read it - see what is going on? See how it is cleverly worded - instead of stating the last part only - wording it so it was very clear the officers actions can not be excused words like "abandoned" and "failure to provide you" are being used to set up a scenario where the EMT's are not doing their job in order to deflect the officers actions and try to push more of the fault onto the EMTs.

Reference your post....
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Getting down to the answer to your question, I would agree that if this entire issue were to be judged from what we can see on the video, it certainly does appear that the officer went over the line. Way over. His conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional, his language totally unacceptable. What we can't see in the video is the why. What triggered that conduct? Yes, it appears that he just plain lost control of himself. But is there more to it than that? That's where we have to be careful and investigate all the details before passing final judgement. You suggested as much in your posts, and I appreciate that. I could tell you hundreds of horror stories from more than a quarter century in law enforcement about the consequences of rushing to judgement. The news media and the Monday morning quarterbacks have ruined the careers of many good officers by trying the officer instead of the criminal, and judging him guilty without a trial. Even if later exonerated by the courts, his career is damaged beyond repair. Thanks again, Dave, for the thoughtful commentary.

Posted by: Retired Police Officer at July 25, 2009 8:14 PM
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Well said sir... Well said. When emotions, hyped up headlines, and "community activists" control the disiplinary process of an officer then he clearly lacks the fairness any other profession enjoys and simply "expects" to receive.

People do not know or understand the reasons behind police procedures. Much of an officers tactics and handling of a suspect or the general public are the direct result of another officer dying or being maimed for life in a similar "non-threatening" situation. To a person who does not understand why some procedures are done, it may appear to be harassment or unfair treatment. This is not to excuse the officer in this case, but to make some of you "think" in the future.

The media loves sound bites and as I noted in an earlier post, they also love to hype things up to stir interest in their story and their TV station. Oddly enough, a photo, and even a video, if shown and edited a certain way can and does distort the truth. That is why media video shown on the evening news will never be allowed in court as evidence, only the full and complete "raw footage".

Someone mentioned the Rodney King Video. That is a classic example. Once the jury saw the full and complete video they understood the event more clearly and ultimately rendered their decision.

In my opinion, it is CNN that should have been criminally charged for inciting riot as they showed only that very short clip continuously over and over and over during the 24 hour period prior to those riots in L.A. To say that this inflamed the black community is an understatement. The Justice Department should have gone after them but didn't. That just goes to show how the press has abused the First Amendment.

You can clearly see this trooper was out of control from the begining of this incident.and totally exacerbated this unnessary outburst against the emt.I would like to see him terminated.He is a loose cannon.

Thought I would check in to see if there was any new comments. Also - there is a new case in upstate NY - a cop takes down a mom for doing far less than what went on in the EMT case.

In a little nutshell - a mom, with her kids, was pulled over for supposedly doing 50 in a 45 zone. The Mom asks if she can see the dash board video showing how fast she was going. The cop alludes to she can and the starts to walk away. The mom gets out of the car and the cops tell sher to get back in and pulls out his tazer. Cop says get back in the car, Mom asks what is wrong, cops says she is now under arrest. Mom get back in the car - cop grabs her violently and pulls her form the car and tazes her. Mom is scared and trys to get back into the car - cops tazes her again, taking her to ground. The mom does nothing more than get out of the vehicle and, basically, stand in one spot for this whole thing. She does not approach the officer, she makes no threating moves. It seems to be a case of the cop thinking the moms questions were a severe enough threat to use force. I am looking forward to viewing the full dash cam video on this one.

I think the cop should go home to home and apologize for a thousand years of theft, rape and murder. And before we let him leave, he must march across this battlefield, stick his head btween his legs and kiss his own ass. Mickey rourkes Butthole rocks!

I do rock! Yeah!

I do rock! Yeah!

I do rock! Yeah!

I do rock!