VinMann

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/23/oklahoma....nded/index.html CNN) -- An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper was suspended Wednesday for five days without pay following a highly publicized scuffle with a paramedic in Okfuskee County in May, according to the Highway Patrol. This is an image from a video that captured an Oklahoma trooper's scuffle with a paramedic in May. The incident, which was caught on dash-camera and cell-phone video, showed Trooper Daniel Martin pulling over a Creek Nation ambulance for a traffic-stop violation. During the incident, Martin is heard repeatedly using profanity and twice getting into a scuffle with one of the paramedics. Both paramedics and family members of the patient in the ambulance informed Martin several times by there was a patient inside, but he did not allow the paramedics to continue to the hospital while the video continued. In a news conference Wednesday, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain Chris West said Martin "failed to recognize that it would have been more reasonable and appropriate to immediately allow the ambulance to continue to the hospital once he understood there was a patient onboard the ambulance." Watch the confrontation » West also said Martin had "probable cause to make the traffic stop and justification to arrest the paramedic for obstructing a police officer" but that the incident "resulted in conduct unbecoming an officer." Martin's attorney, Gary James of Oklahoma City, did not immediately return a phone call from CNN. In a disciplinary letter sent to Martin, Oklahoma Public Safety Department Commissioner Kevin Ward, concluded that the "disregard for the welfare of the patient [justified] severe discipline." Martin will also be required to take an anger assessment, West said. The trooper had no previous discipline action in his record, according to West. On Tuesday, the paramedic involved in the scuffle, Maurice White, filed a lawsuit against Martin in federal court claiming his civil rights were violated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Had probable cause to make the stop? Five day without pay is severe discipline?

I would like to see an official OHP statement. This does not fix the problem. The first problem is not Trooper Martin's behavior but his judgement. He judged that EMT Franks failed to yield and deserved a ticket. I would like an official OHP statement on whether Trooper Martin exercised sound judgement or poor judgement. Second is his ability. Is Trooper Martin able to assess the situation, gather information, and make adjustments to his goal? I would like an official OHP statement that Trooper Martin has demonstrated he has sufficient skills. Third is his knowledge. Does Trooper Martin know the law in regards to interfering emergency medical personnel? I would like an official OHP statement on what they teach their troopers. Was Trooper Martin justified in arresting Paramedic White? I need a futher explanation. The fourth problem is with Trooper Iker. Does he have the knowledge to understand that Trooper Martin was in error in his attemp to arrest Paramedic White? Could he have instruted Trooper Martin to apologise while they were at the hospital? The fifth problem why was the OHP not quick with an apology and punishment? Hopfully the ellected state officials will do something about this or perhaps the people will do something about the ellected officials.

after being told of a patient going to the ER. What exactly were the troopers duties? (and what did he think they were?) Did they change after he was told of the patient? Did they change after the second trooper showed up? Did they change after he called his supervisor and his supervisor (or DA's office) said you did what?? Did they change after the video was placed on youtube? I would sincerely love to see a state police supervisor give a video presentation (on youtube) of both videos and all statements made by the trooper and EMS. This would take more courage than any trooper I have ever known has. The Sequoyah County Times story sure does leave out a lot of details. On a side note, I would not leave the roadway or slow down until clearing the no pass zone (unless there is sufficient roadway). With a patient I would slow to about 10 mph before leaving the roadway.

The officer did not violate HIPPA. He did not know there was a patient. Even after he looked inside. And after the Pt started screaming. It took a second trooper to tell him they had a patient (and what the procedure is). What gets me is an earlier statement the trooper made: 'Martin, en route to an emergency call, said Franks failed to yield numerous times.' When I watch it I have a hard time counting one. I wonder how much time the trooper claims to be delayed. It would not surprise me if it turns out that the emergency at the gas-mart was really a 2:00 call for a coffee break. It's been known to happen. That may be why Martin knew he wasn't needed.

13:55:55 Around a curve. Amb. and car visible up ahead. 13:55:59 Possibly in mirror sight. About to crest hill. No pass zone. 13:56:02 Approaching rear of Amb. Car in front appears to be yielding. 13:56:03 Amb. passes yielding car. 13:56:05 Pass complete. 13:56:08 Trooper now visible to left-side mirror. 13:56:09 End of no pass zone. 13:56:10 Amb. begins to yield to trooper 13:56:13 Pass complete 14:?? Driver of Amb. issued written warning for "failure to yield" The problem is I know some troopers from my own state with this same mentality.

Just in case some didn't read Trooper Martins report. http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griffin/NEW...operscuffle.pdf It's a puzzle with missing pieces (and some that don't fit).

What I don't understand is when the trooper claims to first learn of the patient. The paramedic and EMT both claim to have told him. The trooper said he looked in the back. The paramedic said he stepped out to let a family member in. Then we see the trooper screaming in the side door "you are under arrest" meaning 'I am taking you into custody'. The paramedic has a duty to convey to the trooper that the proper procedure is to allow him to proceed to the ER with the patient. I contend that it is proper to resist until other law enforcement personnel arrive to evaluate the situation and correct the troopers error. With all the training that law enforcement, paramedics, and EMTs go through, I find it extremely rare for one to perform other than how instructed. My question goes to the commander and instructors, did your personnel perform as instructed? We may not hear another word from State which tells me the problem is not with the trooper but with his boss. If I was pulled over for any reason, with a patient on-board, I would have activated at least my secondary lights. More lights make a safer scene.

I can't believe that some are so ignorant as to suggest abandonment. The most logical reason for a LEO to pull over an ambulance would be for some one in his squad in need of urgent care. The paramedic would have grabbed the jump kit and the EMT (driver) would take the paramedics place in back of the rig. This is not abandonment. If the EMT was back in the rig or in a position to take over care when the paramedic stepped out then this is not abandonment. If the patient is not critical and the paramedic steps out for what should be a ten second communication of "We have a patient, meet us at the ER" then this is not abandonment. What the EMT and paramedic are guilty of is failure to recognize a renegade trooper. If the trooper did not immediately release them after informing about the patient, the driver (or paramedic) should have been on the radio, to county, for a deputy to charge the trooper with obstruction. In this case the driver should have called county to have a deputy meet at the hospital to calm the trooper down and take their complaint. Perhaps they thought the second trooper would do that. If the DA closes his eyes to the situation ( It seems he was considering charging the paramedic with assault until the evidence showed up against the trooper) then the EMS and firefighters of the area should start a campaign to remove him from office. If the State Police commander could not determine if the trooper perjured himself them he should be fired. If not then the people of Oklahoma should fire their governor. What kind of people run the state of Oklahoma? (Uh, I shouldn't ask that question, I'm from Illinois.)