Oklahoma Highway Patrol releases scuffle video
RON JACKSON
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537
Published: June 13, 2009
Warning: Video contains explicit content
PRAGUE — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a dashboard camera video late Friday that was recorded during an altercation between a patrol trooper and an emergency medical technician.
The patrol said the move is contrary to what the agency normally does but decided to release the video because of the high level of public interest and the fact that the release "would not affect the administrative review” of the patrol’s investigation of the incident, according to a statement released late Friday. "We’ve been well aware of the fact that this incident has drawn enormous attention, but made the decision to protect the integrity of the investigation, any and all relevant evidence, as well as the rights of the department employees during the course of the investigation as required by law,” said patrol spokesman Capt. Chris West. The move came after the patrol received sharp criticism by the attorney representing the technician, who questioned the patrol’s initial decision not to release the video. The patrol has completed its internal investigation into the actions of trooper Daniel Martin, who has been placed on administrative leave with pay, West said. The investigation is now under review. Martin, a patrolman with two years experience, has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook. He also said he would not file charges against Creek Nation EMT Maurice White Jr., who is the person involved in the altercation with Martin. Richard O’Carroll, White’s attorney, had earlier criticized the patrol for not releasing the video. "Why wouldn’t they release the video?” said O’Carroll of Tulsa. West initially defended his agency’s decision to withhold the dashboard video, adding that Martin is entitled to his "due process” as a state employee. Martin claims the ambulance driver, Paul Franks, rolled down his window and made an obscene gesture at him. Franks denies making such a gesture. "This investigation is to determine whether any disciplinary actions should be taken or not,” West said. "We’re trying to take the high road here. One video of the incident has reached the public domain. The video was taken by the ambulance patient’s son on his cell phone camera and posted on YouTube. Martin is shown choking White outside the ambulance with another patrolman, Brian Iker, urging everyone to remain calm. "Thank God there was a camera, or else my client would have been prosecuted by now,” O’Carroll said. Watch YouTube video of the confrontation below.
Related Topics:
Health and Fitness, Medicine, Medical Specializations, Investigations, Emergency Medicine
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t needed but decided to keep on going anyway. All that aside, as soon as it was made clear there was a patient in the ambulance, the trooper should have allowed them to go to the hospital, and if he still had a problem could take it up there. Its not like the ambulance would have, with a patient, tried to run from the trooper. This trooper showed absolutely no class or professionalism in handeling this situation. He was cussing at the ambulance crew, which is a big no no. Again, these are not hardened criminals, as we can easily tell (most of the time you never know, however this one was pretty clear). As far as the alledged hand gesture...Here are the reasons I don't believe there was one given. One, this trooper went by the ambulance so fast that I very seriously doubt he could have seen any gesture made that quickly. Second, If I am not mistaken, this police car was a Crown Victoria, as most police cars are. These vehicles sit fairly low to the ground, especially compared to an ambulance. Knowing how high an ambulance sits, it would be nearly impossible to see someone that high up from the driver's seat of a Crown Victoria. Not to mention, this ambulance driver seemed fairly respectful, as did the supervisor, in a more stern way (which he needed to be), so he did not seem like the type to have done that (not to say he wouldn't do it though, we dont know). So, what is my take on this? This is a fairly new trooper, of two years (which I will also point out that it is usually newer, unexperienced troopers/police officers who will have the attitude of "its my way or the highway"). Should he be fired? Probably. I would have to look at his prior record. If this is the first of an incident like this, I could see imposing the worst punishment on this guy they have with the OHP and go with that and put him on a probation period in which any incident would cause immediate termination. If had has had any other complaints against him, he should immediately be fired. I know of some people here in SC who have had to go back to the academy for stuff if they get into trouble (nothing like this). So, again, if first offense, I would say suspension and put him on a desk job for a bit. I would have to watch the tapes more closely too. I will say there is possibly probable cause for assault charges against the officer. However, depending on a jury, there is no telling what would happen. I know that officers see a lot. We deal with a lot of people, some good, some bad. But you have to be professional with all of them until provoked by like....seeing a gun or something, then all bets are off the table. And again, seeing that this was another emergency services personell, you have to be even more professional. I'll end this how I started so there is no confusion....Trooper Martin was absolutely in the wrong in this case.
There is an even more insidious problem in this country concerning the perception of absolute police authority, i.e., the police are the police so they have the authoprity to do whatever they want and citizens must respect them no matter what they do because they are the police. Televsions shows like Cops" and "Speeders" reinforce this misperception -- the police are always right, the suspects are always wrong (and are even made fun of), and clips that show police mistakes or abuses are never aired. so the police are always right and we must support them no matter what they do.