Connecticut Trooper Suspended for 'Too Bad' 911 Remark - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com

Photogrrlz · 03-22-2005, 07:55 PM

What a typical, sterotyped trooper...lol

I am not sure if the video will play cause I got it off AOL.....

911 video

LISBON, Conn. (AP) -- A state trooper was suspended for 15 days without pay after he was recorded on a 911 tape saying ''too bad'' to a caller seeking help for a man injured in a motorcycle accident.
State police said the dismissive answer by Trooper Robert Peasley did not affect the response time to the accident involving Justin Sawyer, 21, who died of a severe head injury a week after the crash last August. Peasley was suspended on Monday.

Russell Shepard, a friend of Sawyer's, called 911, which was routed to the state police barracks in Montville. When he reported the accident, Peasley said, ''Yeah ... too bad,'' and hung up, according to a tape obtained by WTNH-TV.

Shepard said he was shocked, believing he reached a wrong number.

Another friend made a second call. ''Yeah,'' the officer responded. ''Help will get there. Shouldn't be playing games.''

A third emergency call was answered by a different dispatcher, who asked about Sawyer's condition and advised those nearby to not touch him.

''I am absolutely outraged every time I hear that 'too bad' and then click,'' said Sawyer's father, Jim Sawyer. ''I only know that I would have felt a whole lot more comfortable if I had heard people responding on the end of that 911 call with some heart and caring.''

State police said the comments by Peasley, an 18-year-veteran, were unprofessional, and the agency apologized if ''our actions added to the family's pain.''

wolverine652001 · 03-22-2005, 08:03 PM

That is SOOO uncalled for. I think they should of fired him on the spot for that.

Photogrrlz · 03-22-2005, 08:07 PM

I agree, but with 18 years of service how can the state do that...lol... FOP would be there the whole way....

I wonder if the family is going to go civil or anything... If possible... but then again with civil suits you can sue for anything

mtxpro752 · 03-22-2005, 08:09 PM

Sad really, I think he forgot that you're supposed to think that not actually sy it to the caller.

ecpd170 · 03-22-2005, 08:16 PM

you would think with 18 years on that he would know better and how could you do that knowing someone is hurt i couldnt get it to play

SuperSix5 · 03-22-2005, 08:19 PM

That's the CT State Police for you.

davidh304 · 03-22-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtxpro752

Sad really, I think he forgot that you're supposed to think that not actually sy it to the caller.

LOL my Thoughts exactly.

80 mph + no helmet + just watched Fast and the Furious = smashed noggin on Interstate

ramathorn · 03-22-2005, 08:44 PM

Whoops!!!! Was that my out loud voice again!!! Way to go Super Troopers!!! Farva, from now on your my cleaning lady!!!

Photogrrlz · 03-22-2005, 11:01 PM

I wish my AOL video would play, but doesn't matter fake or not 3 different calls were made to him hung up once, told them thats what u get for racing and the third a real dispatcher took the call and handled it.....

If anyone can find the video I would apprecitate it

Deputymyke · 03-22-2005, 11:20 PM

Fake or not you should still act professional...that's like talking to a citizen who you know is crazy yet to still maintain your professionism and just hear them out. What does it hurt to show a little repect? Sometimes guys will say don't waste your time with those people but it's my job to serve the public. Even if that means listening to some lady rant about the voices in her head. Better her than me.

Matto · 03-22-2005, 11:21 PM

Even if he thought it was a prank call he should of handled it professionally in my opinion. I've witnessed dispatchers at the local PD answer a 911 call where some kid has called atleast 20 times previously before then prank calling, and the dispatchers still handled it professionally. You never know...

Mraughh · 03-22-2005, 11:24 PM

Just another reason why I don't think cops should double as dispatchers.

CGPD4566 · 03-22-2005, 11:34 PM

"Seems to me the guy didn't believe the call to be genuine. I would like to know what the totality of the circumstances were and what he was thinking and why he decided to handle those calls in that manner."

Totality of circumstances? You can't justify that one. I mean a slip of the tounge...yea once....but twice? No if I were a Captain or Chief I'd have him fired. Because of his service time I'd give him to option to resign without being fired, but he'd be gone one way or another. That's horrible, even if the person was dicking around

ag9295 · 03-23-2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

If you believe you have all the information needed (from the media) to make that decision and that there could not be ANY mitigating factors outside of what was reported (by the media), well, that's on you. Do you jump to conclusions just as quickly when you see a Use of Force video that you have little to no additional information about?

Exactly. And from what I understand, he sent someone there after the first call, despite his having said what I'm sure he meant to say inside his head only, and not out loud. I'm not excusing what was said,and I'd be upset if it were my loved one, but c'mon, it's unlikely that we have been given the full, accurate story and these guys are human too, sometimes we all speak without thinking!

CGPD4566 · 03-23-2005, 09:59 AM

I will only refer to this:

"LISBON, Conn. (AP) -- A state trooper was suspended for 15 days without pay after he was recorded on a 911 tape saying ''too bad'' to a caller seeking help for a man injured in a motorcycle accident."

Tell me again what "media" I am "following"? Did the media wiretap his phone call? He did it to himself, hands down.

"If you believe you have all the information needed (from the media) to make that decision and that there could not be ANY mitigating factors outside of what was reported (by the media), well, that's on you. Do you jump to conclusions just as quickly when you see a Use of Force video that you have little to no additional information about?"

Explain to me possible "mitigating factors"? And no, I do not jump to conclusions on a Use of Force video, thank you for asking. It seems to me you are getting a little angry with me because I don't condone the actions of this guy who in my opinion, acted completely distastfully and unprofessional. I think Police are supposed to be professional aren't they? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, however.

"Exactly. And from what I understand, he sent someone there after the first call, despite his having said what I'm sure he meant to say inside his head only, and not out loud. I'm not excusing what was said,and I'd be upset if it were my loved one, but c'mon, it's unlikely that we have been given the full, accurate story and these guys are human too, sometimes we all speak without thinking!"

I never said I thought he planned it out...I stated it could have been a slip of the tounge. But how much can you slip up like that? I mean the first call I can understand. He HANGS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A 911 EMERGENCY PHONE CALL.

Ok, so let's excuse that one. So he calls back..."Help will get there. Shouldn't be playing games." This is why I say you can't justify it. He was having a bad day? Ok, that doesn't change the simple fact he acted unprofessionally. If the image of my department was spoiled by that, I would be embarassed. But I guess I'm just a "Liberal Media Puppet" for having an opinion based on a taped recording. My bad.

jeffIL · 03-23-2005, 10:39 AM

According to the report I saw on CNN, the family admitted that crews were there quickly("within five minutes"). So, as someone said, he did dispatch appropriate equipment regardless of his comments. Big picture is that he did get people out there.

DMS 525 · 03-23-2005, 11:51 AM

I tried to get it to download, but no stuffed monkey today.

My wife heard it on the news yesterday, and told me all about it, tho. That was WAY out of line, and something needs to be done.

There was a dispatcher with the DMPD who was good at playing 20 questions with you, and second guessing everything you said, until I told her one night when I was calling for help for my boss(I was in security then) if she didn't quit that BS and get some help rolling, I'd be there to rip her f-ing lungs out!!! I had a word with the Captain about that later, and he assured me something would be done.

From the day we first decide to pin on a badge, we all learn a few sad but so rules:

1. You'll answer many crank or unfounded calls.
2. If working dispatch, you'll get your share of nuts on the phone.

Same as a pizza delivery person taking a pizza to I.C. Weiner, or a poor waitress getting asked to page Mike Hunt over the P.A. system. Just blinkin' deal with it, and push on!!! Don't take your aggravations out on the next caller you talk to or respond to, who may have a legitimate situation for you to deal with, and expect you to deal with it in a professional manner.

There's nothing I despise more than some idiot cop who thinks all their calls are a waste of their time, and everybody they talk to is a liar. I've had to put one or two of them in their place over the years.

To make a long story short, when you go out on the beat, simply remember the Golden Rule.

sob153 · 03-23-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

Who here besides me has worked the phones (business and 911) for any length of time? In my experience, the vast majority (guestimate at least over 90%) of 911 calls are BS (e.g. routine calls for service, non-emergencies/non-LE related, prank calls, etc). And that is not even including all the stupid calls on the regular business lines. It can be very challenging to maintain composure when you're working the desk.

Seems to me the guy didn't believe the call to be genuine. I would like to know what the totality of the circumstances were and what he was thinking and why he decided to handle those calls in that manner.

I've worked phones and I

USAcop · 03-23-2005, 05:38 PM

We all have said stupid things at one time or another.

It happens.

CGPD4566 · 03-23-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

Ok, let's back up a little bit. First, like I said before, I've done that job (and not just for a shift or day or week or month, etc). Second, I didn't say it earlier but I do agree that his actions were unprofessional. Third, I'm not angry.

My experience in that part of LE work (and being a force instructor), which you may or may not share, causes me to wonder what else was happening around that time (and after) and what he was thinking. While it does not excuse what he said or did, it may make his actions more Understandable. If I were his powers that be, that information that I was wondering about (in addition to his job performance history, etc) would make a HUGE impact on what type of discipline to give.

"Liberal Media Puppet"? Are you trying to play victim? I never said that. What I am suggesting is that, if you weren't there and haven't been briefed by anyone that was there, then you might want to reconsider the accuracy and/or impartiality of your source(s) of info (i.e. the media, which apparently did not report any deeper into the incident). Last time I checked, AP, the Associated Press, IS part of "the media".

Yes, LEOs are supposed to be professional. LEOs are also Human. IMO, those of us (not me), who have NEVER found it tough maintaining their composure are few and far between.

If you don't jump to conclusions on Uses of Force, how do you approach those situations? What would you want to know before deciding whether you believe an LEOs actions were reasonable or not? Or, if you found an LEOs actions improper/excessive/not within policy, how would you determine how much or what type of discipline to hand out? What factors would you consider? Or would you fire them simply for violating policy (no matter how minor or egregious)?

No, I am not trying to play "victim", that was the tone I got from your post before that. I'm not saying they have to maintain composure if they are to be professional, but I am asking what POSSIBLE circumstances could cause you to be a callous ******* over the phone? Regardless of the units being dispatched,etc...he was a jerkoff on the phone to someone who needed help. I'm not an LEO but I have a human side, and my human side is to help people when they need it, not act like a jerk.

Secondly, the reason I tend to not jump to conclusions is because I have helped aid in trying to wrestle down a person who does not want to be cuffed...and it is very hard for one person to do it. I can grasp the simple understanding of Use of Force, where that situation it is warranted(they are fighting you and in some cases grabbing for your weapons), where as an emergency telephone call is COMPLETELY different.

Look, I don't want to keep going on and on about this because we OBVIOUSLY have two very different opinions. And I take you as being an intellectual, and realizing the difficulty in trying to force/inform others of your opinion, and I realize that to. I haven't been trying to sway anyone to think like me and I know you haven't, but it's how they say...."Agree to Disagree". I feel one way, you feel the other.

ProWriter · 03-23-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

...I would like to know what the totality of the circumstances were and what he was thinking and why he decided to handle those calls in that manner.

Maybe he was just reading through some of the biker threads here when the call came in...

wolverine652001 · 03-23-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWriter

Maybe he was just reading through some of the biker threads here when the call came in...

Or playboy with some tissues and lotion.

zx636skiv · 03-23-2005, 09:46 PM

First of all, I am not LEO, but interested. Also, everything has already been stated before my post so I won't reiterate.
I believe with 18 years with no blemishes that the officer doesn't need to be dismissed, but I believe 2 weeks of no pay might not be enough of a lesson. A family lost a very important part of their life and feels let down by the actions of the very department that is supposed to help in emergency situations. It has been stated that the response time for the ambulance was not delayed by the officer's remarks. I haven't heard if the kid had a helmet on or not, but from the extent of his injuries, I believe that he wasn't wearing one, and probably didn't have much of a chance anyway.
I also believe that this is why there is so little trust in many local agencies in this day and age. I also believe the media blows a lot of things out of proportion for the ratings, but for those that wanted to see the video, there is a link on WTNH's site.
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=3107048
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a direct link to the video.

I am sorry that this had to happen on both ends, both to the family and to the LEO community. I know that a lot of trust in law enforcement has been lost in the recent months because of the actions of a few individuals.

A lesson I learned from my father, a hundred 'attaboys' can be erased by one 'all****' in a second. People will remember the bad long after they have forgotten all the good someone has done.

KBeecher · 03-23-2005, 10:03 PM

Well, I read the article, and was thinking that when someone says "too bad" they are responding that they are sorry to hear about what happened. So maybe the officer was expressing sadness and was misunderstood.

Then I listened to a part of the 911 tape. His voice was not sympathetic sounding to me, but then again coming from the East most voices don't sound very sympathetic to my ears even when they are being so.

So now I am not sure.

My understanding was that he dispatched the required emergency equipment to the location where they were needed. If he did this then he was doing his job correctly. If the sound of his voice was not sympathetic sounding enough for some people then they needed to move him to a different task, say dispatching the officers. I know for a fact that I have been accused numerous times of being angry and the only thing the person could say was that I didn't smile. I also have had the complaint that I was smiling when I did something and they thought it was inappropriate.

You win some you lose some. I think he may have lost this one, but did not deserve a 15 day suspension.

CGPD4566 · 03-23-2005, 10:48 PM

Without making myself sound like I know about this profession I will say this. I understand both sides because I am not only a citizen, but a Reserve. I don't want to convey the idea that because im a reserve do I know what law enforcement is like, but I have that "basic understanding". If a street thug is eyeing up police in my community, he'll be eyeing me up to. They won't mistake the fact that our uniforms are a light blue and regular line officers wear dark.

What I'm trying to say is I have an understanding from both sides, and as I continue through school and experience in this reserve program, I am starting to see more and more clearer about LE life. Don't mistake this as I know anything about it, I'm just learning about it. Just as if you would meet someone you arrested the next day at the grocery store, I do to. If I transport some guy for an officer, he sees my face...half the time they stare at me through the rearview and often I see them again in public. They don't care, and that's why I don't give two shakes of a lambs tail if they are stupid and hurt themselves. However, I do have this idea that Police are there to be curtious and professional, and they are. I don't think the way in which he handled it was professional. I have standards to live up to when I work and that's don't bring personal life into work(I know this is prolly totally different here though, with stress and everything) but what I'm saying is that I'm not dumb to Law Enforcement.