Should this trooper be fired?

"L Sternn" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 02:39:46 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>
>>> The difference is most people are held accountable for things that
>>> they say and do.
>>>
>>> This cop could have been responsible for people dying, and you want to
>>> give him a pass.
>>
>>I believe that even in the follow up articles it was stated that his
>>comments had no effect on the response time.
>
> No harm, no foul?
>
> Do you really believe that?

Yes. According to the statement, the comment that was made did not delay
the response.

>
> I'd love to hear an explanation as to why it didn't matter. He hung
> up on someone reporting a very serious accident that the police were
> not already responding to. The accident was serious enough to be
> fatal.
>
> Even if his gross misconduct and reckless endangerment didn't actually
> lead to any further injury, the potential was certainly there.

Not necessarily. All he had to do as a dispatcher was send the appropriate
responders which he did. He made an ass out of himself with his comment and
behavior but got the job done.

>
> That is why he should be fired.

No, just disciplined. After 18 years with a perfect record, making a rude
comment shouldn't be enough for anyone to be fired.

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

"The Real Bev" > wrote in message
...
> jaybird wrote:
>>
>> "Matthew Russotto" > wrote:
>> > jaybird > wrote:
>> >>Of course he shouldn't be fired. He's an 18 year veteran with no prior
>> >>disciplinary action. I wouldn't wish a firing on anyone in any
>> >>profession
>> >>with that record, just based on a comment.
>> >
>> > He's probably got no previous record because the union and other
>> > coddlers of incompetence and malfeasance such as yourself got him off
>> > the hook in those cases as well.
>>
>> No, if you're trying to compare 18 years of service to a couple of 911
>> calls, that would've shown up in his work long ago in even more serious
>> circumstances. You can't dodge complaints for that long.
>
> What's an 18-year veteran doing answering the 911 phone? From
> everything I've heard, in spite of its importance, that's not exactly a
> job that requires 18 years of training and experience.

It's not a job that requires that much experience at all. It is probably a
position for someone close to retirement who wants a break from the streets
for his last few years. We don't know for sure, but that's my guess.

>
> I have also heard that 911 operators are supposed to keep the caller on
> the line until help arrives. Hanging up on the caller with a snotty
> remark doesn't seem to fit that part of the job description.

That's not correct. The operators will keep a person on the line if they
are need immediate assistance or direction, but a person reporting a crime
or accident is usually not kept on the line.

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 05:52:40 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:

>> What's an 18-year veteran doing answering the 911 phone? From
>> everything I've heard, in spite of its importance, that's not exactly a
>> job that requires 18 years of training and experience.
>
>It's not a job that requires that much experience at all. It is probably a
>position for someone close to retirement who wants a break from the streets
>for his last few years.

There's a regular over in a stoner newsgroup who used to be a 999
operator (The UK uses 999 instead of 911).

But he's moving up in the world. Now he's works in collections for a
credit card company.

911 operator is a job that shouldn't be given to some cop who is
close to retirement unless he's willing to take a big pay cut.

>We don't know for sure, but that's my guess.

On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 05:49:50 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:

>
>"L Sternn" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 02:39:46 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>>
>>>> The difference is most people are held accountable for things that
>>>> they say and do.
>>>>
>>>> This cop could have been responsible for people dying, and you want to
>>>> give him a pass.
>>>
>>>I believe that even in the follow up articles it was stated that his
>>>comments had no effect on the response time.
>>
>> No harm, no foul?
>>
>> Do you really believe that?
>
>Yes. According to the statement, the comment that was made did not delay
>the response.
>

Do you really believe that just because there was no harm that no foul
was committed?

If I aim a gun at you and fire, is it okay as long as I miss?

I don't think so.

>>
>> I'd love to hear an explanation as to why it didn't matter. He hung
>> up on someone reporting a very serious accident that the police were
>> not already responding to. The accident was serious enough to be
>> fatal.
>>
>> Even if his gross misconduct and reckless endangerment didn't actually
>> lead to any further injury, the potential was certainly there.
>
>Not necessarily. All he had to do as a dispatcher was send the appropriate
>responders which he did. He made an ass out of himself with his comment and
>behavior but got the job done.
>

No, he did NOT send anyone.

Another dispatcher did that.

>>
>> That is why he should be fired.
>
>No, just disciplined. After 18 years with a perfect record, making a rude
>comment shouldn't be enough for anyone to be fired.

It wasn't simply a "rude comment".

My guess is he has something against bikes. If he's willing to let a
biker die by the side of the road (he didn't know that wouldn't happen
when he hung up on 2 different callers), then who knows what else
he'll do.

Maybe he doesn't like redheads either.

"L Sternn" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 02:46:06 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>
>>
>>"L Sternn" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:07:48 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>Of course he shouldn't be fired. He's an 18 year veteran with no prior
>>>>disciplinary action. I wouldn't wish a firing on anyone in any
>>>>profession
>>>>with that record, just based on a comment.
>>>
>>> How ****ing predictable.
>>>
>>> He could have been responsible for the deaths of many people.
>>
>>Where do you get that from?
>
> Are you stupid?
>
> Intentionally disconnecting emergency calls should be a crime if it
> isn't already. The POTENTIAL for it to result in death makes it very
> serious.
>
> This pig was lucky.
>
>> The comment had nothing to do with the response
>>time.
>
> And that in no way excuses hanging up on people calling 911 with real
> emergencies.
>
>>
>>>
>>> He willingly and knowingly refused to perform his job.
>>
>>No, he did his job when he dispatched units to the scene.
>
> He did not.
>
> Care to explain how he could have done so since he hung up on the
> caller?
>
> In fact, he hung up on 2 different people and he didn't dispatch ****.
>
> The ambulance was dispatched by someone who took their job seriously.
>
> 911 is not for playing games. As a cop, you should know that and so
> should the piece of **** Peasley.
>
>>
>>>
>>> His attitude towards those he was supposed to help is just icing on
>>> the cake.
>>>
>>> **** him and **** you jaybird.
>>>
>>> If you ever wondered why people hate cops, think about both what this
>>> guy did and your reaction to it.
>>>
>>> **** you again, you piece of ****
>>
>>Well that makes you much more credible. I'm impressed.
>
> I'm not sorry if you take offense. I take offense to your cavalier
> attitude towards public safety.
>
> Your defense of someone who willfully put members of the public gives
> you zero credibility.
>
>>
>>The guy was rude, I'm not defending that,
>
> And I'm not complaining about his being rude.
>
>>but as long as he got people on
>>the way then he did that part of his job.
>
> No, he did NOT.
>
> He hung up on the 1st 2 callers and probably would have continued
> hanging up on them had a THIRD call that was answered by a DIFFERENT
> dispatcher who then dispatched an ambulance.
>
>
>>He just wasn't very polite about
>>it.
>
> No. You're either intentionally lying or you haven't even bothered to
> read up on this incident.
>
> Which is it?
>
> Here's a couple of links just in case you're merely ignorant:
>
> http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?s=3107048
> (includes a link to audio of the 911 calls)
>
> http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/911.asp
> (this one's short enough that you shouldn't have too much
> trouble reading the whole thing)

Ok, now that we're past the profanity and insults maybe we can discuss this
like adults. The article says nothing about him not dispatching emergency
units to the scene and in fact says: "Police officials maintain that despite
Peasley's comments, he acted promptly to send emergency personnel to the
scene." From the first two phone calls quoted it seems to me like they
either already had a report of the wreck, or had prior calls about the
motorcycle especially in the second call. I agree that he could've handled
things better, but the job was done.

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

"223rem" > wrote in message
om...
> jaybird wrote:
>> "223rem" > wrote in message
>> om...
>
>>>Are you a 'desk' cop?
>>
>>
>> Nope.
>>
>
> So you guys have internet access in your patrol
> cars? Very cool!

Hell, we can't even post from there either. I wouldn't want to end up like
APD's MDT fiasco from the night club burning down.

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

"L Sternn" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:16:53 -0600, DTJ > wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 21:25:35 -0500, Car > wrote:
>>
>>>From the Hartford Courant
>>>
>>>Trooper Suspended 15 Days
>>>
>>>Response To 911 Call Called Inappropriate
>>>
>>>A state trooper was suspended for 15 days without pay Monday
>>>for telling the friend of a seriously injured motorcyclist
>>>"too bad," and hanging up on him when he called 911 for help
>>>last August.
>>>
>>>State police said Trooper Robert Peasley's behavior did not
>>>affect the response time to the accident or contribute to the
>>>death of Justin Sawyer, 21, of Bozrah. Sawyer died of head
>>>injuries several days after the crash in Bozrah.
>>
>>Nobody should care if he contributed to the death, the point is that
>>he could have, and probably will the next time. He should be charged
>>with murder for the same reason that a criminal involved in a crime
>>where someone dies is charged with murder. The cop committed a crime,
>>and someone died, he should hang.
>
> I'm glad someone besides me isn't blinded by the argument that the cop
> was merely being rude.

I wouldn't align myself with DTJ too quickly. He's even worse than you with
his colorful language when you get him stirred up. )

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

"L Sternn" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 05:49:50 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>
>>
>>"L Sternn" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 02:39:46 GMT, "jaybird" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>> The difference is most people are held accountable for things that
>>>>> they say and do.
>>>>>
>>>>> This cop could have been responsible for people dying, and you want to
>>>>> give him a pass.
>>>>
>>>>I believe that even in the follow up articles it was stated that his
>>>>comments had no effect on the response time.
>>>
>>> No harm, no foul?
>>>
>>> Do you really believe that?
>>
>>Yes. According to the statement, the comment that was made did not delay
>>the response.
>>
>
> Do you really believe that just because there was no harm that no foul
> was committed?

I just answered that. There was no harm other than his rudeness and there
was no foul either. Again, it's stated: "Police officials maintain that
despite Peasley's comments, he acted promptly to send emergency personnel to
the scene."

>
> If I aim a gun at you and fire, is it okay as long as I miss?
>
> I don't think so.

Well you've got that one right. Aiming a gun at someone is Deadly Conduct,
firing it could be many things from Aggravated Assualt to Attempted Murder
whether you hit them or not.... two different scenarios.

>
>>>
>>> I'd love to hear an explanation as to why it didn't matter. He hung
>>> up on someone reporting a very serious accident that the police were
>>> not already responding to. The accident was serious enough to be
>>> fatal.
>>>
>>> Even if his gross misconduct and reckless endangerment didn't actually
>>> lead to any further injury, the potential was certainly there.
>>
>>Not necessarily. All he had to do as a dispatcher was send the
>>appropriate
>>responders which he did. He made an ass out of himself with his comment
>>and
>>behavior but got the job done.
>>
>
> No, he did NOT send anyone.
>
> Another dispatcher did that.

Can you provide a cite for that? Do you know for a fact that he hadn't
already sent units there? The female said "I'll send an ambulance" but that
doesn't mean she was the first to send one out. That could've just been a
comment to let the caller know whether she was the one doing it or not.
You're reading factors into this that you don't have any behind the scenes
information about.

>
>>>
>>> That is why he should be fired.
>>
>>No, just disciplined. After 18 years with a perfect record, making a rude
>>comment shouldn't be enough for anyone to be fired.
>
> It wasn't simply a "rude comment".
>
> My guess is he has something against bikes. If he's willing to let a
> biker die by the side of the road (he didn't know that wouldn't happen
> when he hung up on 2 different callers), then who knows what else
> he'll do.

And my guess is that he already had information about the wreck, or prior
calls on it from other means. Also, he has no control over whether or not
the biker dies. All he can do is dispatch units.

>
> Maybe he doesn't like redheads either.

Could be...

--
---
jaybird
---
I am not the cause of your problems.
My actions are the result of your actions.
Your life is not my fault.

"DTJ" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 19:44:32 GMT, "Skip Elliott Bowman"
> > wrote:
>
>>"L Sternn" > wrote in message
>>news
>>> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:04:16 GMT, "Skip Elliott Bowman"
>>> > wrote:
>>
>>>>I think a proper way to handle this is give him a 5 day rip and reassign
>>>>him
>>>>to a job where he doesn't come into contact with the general public.
>>>
>>> And I say fire his ass on the spot and let him beg for a job
>>> elsewhere.
>>
>>If we fired every cop who was rude to a citizen who wasn't a suspect, we'd
>>have maybe 100 cops per large city.
>
> And your point?

My point is, the rude cops need better training in customer service.

> Uh, Mr Boss, I interviewed everybody for the job of Nuclear Power
> Plant Safety Operator and the best qualified one was this chimp. I
> figure we should hire him because otherwise we would have nobody to
> watch out for the public safety.

I would say let's send out another RFA and not lower job
experience/performance standards.

jaybird wrote:
>
> "The Real Bev" > wrote in message
> ...
> > jaybird wrote:
> >>
> >> "Matthew Russotto" > wrote:
> >> > jaybird > wrote:
> >> >>Of course he shouldn't be fired. He's an 18 year veteran with no prior
> >> >>disciplinary action. I wouldn't wish a firing on anyone in any
> >> >>profession
> >> >>with that record, just based on a comment.
> >> >
> >> > He's probably got no previous record because the union and other
> >> > coddlers of incompetence and malfeasance such as yourself got him off
> >> > the hook in those cases as well.
> >>
> >> No, if you're trying to compare 18 years of service to a couple of 911
> >> calls, that would've shown up in his work long ago in even more serious
> >> circumstances. You can't dodge complaints for that long.
> >
> > What's an 18-year veteran doing answering the 911 phone? From
> > everything I've heard, in spite of its importance, that's not exactly a
> > job that requires 18 years of training and experience.
>
> It's not a job that requires that much experience at all. It is probably a
> position for someone close to retirement who wants a break from the streets
> for his last few years. We don't know for sure, but that's my guess.

I see, time servers. Chair warmers. Just the person I'd want on the
end of the line when there's a possibility that a loved one is bleeding
to death. No wonder we hear horror stories about what these jerks say
and do. I think I'd rather have girl scouts doing the job -- based on
the ones I've known, people who are just waiting for retirement are
absolutely worthless.

> > I have also heard that 911 operators are supposed to keep the caller on
> > the line until help arrives. Hanging up on the caller with a snotty
> > remark doesn't seem to fit that part of the job description.
>
> That's not correct. The operators will keep a person on the line if they
> are need immediate assistance or direction, but a person reporting a crime
> or accident is usually not kept on the line.

They leave the person who survived the crime or accident long enough to
punch 911 all alone and bleeding with a chirpy "Help is on the way, have
a nice day," do they? Is this by regulation or stupidity?

When I had occasion to call 911 the dispatcher kept me on the line until
I said I saw the cops outside. At other times (accidents with much
metal damage and perhaps some fleshly damage -- yeah, we live near a
corner with a lot of them) the dispatcher said I could hang up when I
heard the siren. It seems truly unconscionable to leave an injured
victim all alone, trusting that MAYBE the rescue vehicles can find their
way to the scene of the crime/accident.

--
Cheers,
Bev
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"It is a matter of regret that many low, mean suspicions
turn out to be well-founded." -- Edgar Watson Howe