FHP Back at it again / Petta Cited

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradent...s/15043854.htm

**** F.H.P. :!: We Will see.....

Whats wrong with FHP citing someone who is at fault for a crash? Where is the limit for getting off the hook cause you're an LEO? Sig's 1-4 ok, but nothing else?

Whats wrong with FHP citing someone who is at fault for a crash? Where is the limit for getting off the hook cause you're an LEO? Sig's 1-4 ok, but nothing else?

If a troopers POV is stolen, I won't be running code after the suspect. Nooooo waaaaaay!!! Let'em go!!!

It's very hazardous to run code after somebody. It's just not worth it any more. Sorry folks, but the days of chasing after the bad guys in purusits is pretty much over. Let'em go. Let'em have the stolen car.

Hummmmmm what if they're wanted for a violent crime??? If we get involved in a crash while try to negotiate a red light, then will FHP ticket us for running a red light??? You bet!!! Don't chase anybody for anything any more because you won't be backed up!!!! Everything is assbackwards now. :roll:

Why didnt FHP Cite Proffessor Ass-Hole who failed to yield to an emergency vehicle??? :?: :?: Oh thats right he said he never saw or heard the Deputy. We all know how invisible a Chevy Tahoe is especially a Marked Police vehicle with lights and sirens operating. :x

Troopers on Friday ticketed a Manatee County sheriff's deputy for running a red light after he crashed into a civilian's vehicle during a high-speed chase last month.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Doug Dodson said investigators felt that even in an emergency, a law enforcement official must take into consideration the safety of others.

"We have to be reasonably safe when we enter an intersection even with lights and sirens on," Dodson said.

According to the sheriff's office policies, a deputy in a marked vehicle "shall not enter a controlled intersection against the directed flow of traffic at a speed greater than 15 mph, and the driver shall be sure that the cross-traffic flow has yielded in each lane before attempting to cross that lane."

During a chase, the policy spells out that "if the suspect accelerates and begins to operate in a more dangerous manner, the deputy shall terminate the pursuit."

"The suspect in the van cleared the traffic light at the intersection of General Spaatz Boulevard and U.S. 41,..... according to an FHP report. Dep. Petta, behind the stolen van, approached the intersection just as the light turned red for traffic on U.S. 41 and green for General Spaatz Boulevard, the report stated."

Leo S. Demski, 63, drove into the intersection from General Spaatz Boulevard, according to the report. Petta, with his emergency lights and siren on, drove in its path.

Three weeks later, after speaking to Demski and other witnesses, the FHP concluded that Petta ran the red light and cited him for it.

The citation carries a $118.50 fine, said FHP spokesman Lt. Doug Dodson.


Seems the deputy failed to ensure the intersection was clear and therefore failed to yield the right way. While I disagree that a citation neded to be issued, the deputy was at fault. The trooper did his job which resulted in a citation being issued.

Its sucks to be the deputy becuase he has an $118 ticket to pay and a review board to determine what action his agency may take. It also sucks to be the troopr who issued the ticket as so many LEO's want to condem him for doing his job.

Dont you just hate it when someone monday morning quaterbacks your decisions? I am sure the trooper feels the same way. :roll:

Petta was wrong, he ran the red light. the TARB will also find him at fault and he will buy some days off for it. So before you go squawking about FHP, let Petta take his lumps. He is a cop, he should know State law and MCSO's General Orders, if he doesn't shame on him!

Petta let his ego outdrive his authority!

Why are you citing an MSO G.O. that has nothing to do with the ticket Moron??. Petta should have used caution and I am not saying in any way he didnt, however the other person failed to yield to the Emergency Vehicle. That is a fact as well :!: If you are citing the Deputy you need to cite the other person Violating FSS not just a MSO G.O.

Ummm, obviously that citizen had the green light and did not see that emergency vehicle. approaching, or if he did and he tried to beat the emergency vehicle into the lane of traffic he could be written for Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, but....If Petta had followed GO's and slowed to 15mph when approaching that red light, he could have easily peformed an evasive manuever around the citizen, avoiding the crash. Obviously Petta ran the red light, and was unable to perform an evasive manuever. Driving in pursuit mode is extremely stressful and causes tunnel vision, Petta should have anticipated a vehicle coming out of that intersection when his light was turning red at the very least. I think you all are totally wrong for citing FHP as the bad guys in this situation. They are doing their job as Law Enforcement officers. If the tables were turned and it was the citizen who ran the red light, all of you would be howling "Why did it take FHP so long to write that guy a citation?" Just because you have a blue light and siren, doesn't make you above the law. Now put that in your pity party bowl and howlllllll away!