After scouring the internet for a topic for this week's edition of my blog I came across the video below. Please take a look at the video for a quick overview of the discussion to follow.

As you can imagine my first reaction to this was, WOW!!!...What would make a police officer arrest a firefighter while the firefighter was still actively working the scene of the crash.  Was this simply a case of the officer being disrespected because the firefighter didn't move fast enough?  Did this officer talk to his supervisor before taking such drastic action?  Did any of the officers ask any of the other firefighters to move the truck before this "Arrest" was made?

When we think of ethical dilemmas that police officers face everyday, does a situation like this come to mind?  At first I didn't think so, but as I gave this scenario a little more thought I came to the conclusion that the officer certainly had to justify this arrest in his head before he took action.  He certainly had to reason it out and know that there were ethical implications involved.  From everything I've read and the videos I've seen it appears that the officer acted on his own.  Is this another case of an officer being disrespected and the actions that follow are his way of getting his respect back?  I can't help but believe that is exactly the case.  As a police supervisor for 20 years I have been to countless accident scenes.  During my experiences there have surely been disagreements with firefighters on where they parked, how long they were taking, what hospital they were going to, etc.  However, I've never even remotely considered arresting any of them for failing to obey an officer.  Firefighters and police officers have extremely difficult jobs as it is.  There is no way I would consider arresting a firefighter for something of this nature.

I can think of a number of steps the officer could've taken to avoid this public relations fiasco.  The first thought that came to mind was whether or not he asked a supervisor for their assistance.  Police supervisors are tasked with protecting the agency and its officers from decisions just like this.  The officer who made this choice clearly could've taken the extra couple of minutes to call for a sergeant to come to the scene.  Upon the arrival of the sergeant the officer could've relayed his concerns and they could have worked on a solution together.  If I were the sergeant at the scene I would have asked to speak to the firefighter's supervisor and together I think we would have worked out a solution that would not have involved the type of fallout we see here.

Here are some questions many of you probably had as you watched this video:

 Did the officer ask any of the other firefighters to move the truck?  That would have been my first course of action.  I would have found someone else to move the truck and then I would take the issue up with that firefighter's supervisor.

Why was the officer in such a hurry to clear the scene?  While the hopeful part of my brain says that he was in a hurry so they could open the road and clear the traffic jam.  The cynical part of me thinks it might've been close to shift change or maybe he was running late for his lunch break.

Finally, since this "Arrest" only lasted several minutes what should the ramifications be for the officer?  That is a good question and one that I'm sure will generate numerous comments.  As far as I'm concerned I think the officer should be reprimanded for his actions.  Although the video only shows the result of what happened when the firefighter did not obey the officer we don't know exactly what led up to it.  Either way I can think of no way to justify what the officer did.  As I mentioned above this is an issue that should have been handled after the fact by the fire department.  This was still an active scene and the officer's rush to arrest one of the firefighter's seemed to be an emotional one not one based what the public would expect from a reasonable and prudent officer. This officer needs to understand that the bad publicity he has brought to himself and his agency could have been easily avoided.   It could have been avoided if he would have done any of the things mentioned above.

This is just another instance where police officers end up being their own worst enemy.  I wonder what percentage of the public took the officer's side in this case.  Like you, I bet that number is extremely small.  Officers continue to bring bad press to not only themselves and their departments, but also to our profession.  We all need to think long and hard before we take away someone's freedom.  We should give even more thought when we consider the ramifications of an event like this, which is sure to generate coverage form both the public and the media.

Thanks again for taking a few minutes to read my blog.  I appreciate all of you stopping by and I am looking forward to reading your comments regarding this incident.  I hope you all have a great week.

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of my blog.  For those that have followed since the beginning I want to thank you, for those who are reading for the first time I'd like to welcome and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Since my last entry generated so much interest and so many questions I want to dedicate this week's entry to addressing the excellent questions that were raised.  Before I get into your questions I'd like all of you to take a look at the video below. Since my last posting the judge in the case has released the video of the crime as it occurred.

As you can see from the video above the murder of Chad Oulsen was captured on the movie theater's surveillance system.  Although the video is grainy it appears that there is some sort of confrontation followed by what is believed to be Mr. Oulsen throwing popcorn on Mr. Reeves.  This is immediately followed by Mr. Reeves firing one round into Mr. Oulsen.  Now after seeing this video my first question to all of you is, does this change your opinion on this incident.  As you can see the shot fired from Mr. Reeves is almost simultaneous with Mr. Oulsen's actions.  This leads me to believe that Mr. Reeves had his hand on his gun before Mr. Oulsen's action.  As a trained police officer it is my opinion that Mr. Reeves had to have had his hand on his gun before Mr. Oulsen threw popcorn on him.  With that in mind I have an even more difficult time believing Mr. Reeves claims that he acted in self-defense.  I think this video shows that Mr. Reeves actions were pre-meditated, even if for just a split second.  It is clear that what took place was some kind of verbal argument which led to Mr. Oulsen throwing popcorn on Mr. Reeves.  It appears that when the two men started arguing Mr. Reeves readied his weapon.  Now, that in and of itself is not wrong nor is it illegal.  However his over-reaction to what took place next is why this murder occurred and why Mr. Reeves is still in jail today.

I'd now like to take a moment and address some issues that were brought up in last weeks post.  As we continue to see violence spike in this country one of my readers asked why someone would need to bring a gun into a movie theater.  Well after reading this blog and after the recent violence at movie theaters I hope that question has been answered.  I will tell you that as an officer I bring my gun everywhere I go.  For me that hasn't always been the case.  However with the violence that has overtaken our country I have resigned myself to the fact that I will not be a victim to some criminal.  I will continue to carry my gun whether it is to the grocery store, movie theater or restaurant.  I will not allow myself or my family to fall victim to the plight of some criminal element.  If I can make a difference I will defend myself and other civilians, who without my intervention may become victims.  Now I'm sure there are those out there that would question my need to bring a gun everywhere I go.  I in turn would ask each of you that if you were faced with a life and death situation and there was a police officer nearby wouldn't you hope that he brought his weapon with him?

As I read your comments from last week I was certainly surprised that several of you have had run-ins at a movie theater.  As should have happened in this case, most people either move seats or leave the theater completely.  I think we would all agree that nothing is worth what occurred in this case.  There is no text message, no disrespectful act, or petty argument that should lead to the outcome that happened in this case.  Isn't it sad that we are unable to go back in time and show both men what resulted from their actions.  Unfortunately this is not possible and both families will forever be forced to live with the consequences of this confrontation.

 I'd like to leave all of you with the following.  Knowing what we know about this incident and other similar incidents around the country do you think it is time for comprehensive gun reform?  If you do not believe that we have reached the point where we need to limit access to guns, is there a point where you would say enough is enough?  I for one can tell you that my thinking changed after the Sandy Hook school shooting.  The families in that community endured something that no one should have to endure.  If we aren't willing to change the way we think about guns after that incident, what will it take?

Hope you all have an excellent week, thank you again for reading my blog.

What is this world coming to?

Those were the first words that came to mind after I saw this story a couple of weeks ago. As more of the story comes out and we continue to learn what happened I am reminded that we live in a very violent country.  As you saw from watching the video a retired Tampa Police Captain shot and killed a young man after the victim was texting on his cell phone.  Please click on the link below to listen to a family member of the alleged murderer argue for a reduction of his bail. 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/justice/florida-movie-theater-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

As you saw from the link above this murder is alleged to have taken place because the victim threw popcorn at the suspect.  The victim in this case, Chad Oulson, was texting his daughter's babysitter.  The suspect, Curtis Reeves, was apparently upset that Oulson was texting in the theatre.  During the incident Oulson is alleged to have thrown popcorn at Reeves who in turn shot him one time in the upper body.  Reeves is now claiming that he shot Oulson in self-defense.  

As you saw in the video above, Oulson's death has left a woman without her husband and a 2 year old girl without her father.  This was over texting!!  The shooting was committed by a former Police Captain.  As I mentioned at the top of this post, What is this world coming to?  Do we de-value human life so much that we resort to violence over such insignificant issues.  This was a carer law enforcement officer.  Someone who worked his whole life to achieve the rank of captain.  How can he go from dedicated public servant to a cold blooded killer in one fell swoop?  If the reports are accurate and Mr. Oulson did in fact tell Mr. Reeves that he was texting his daughter's babysitter, how could Reeves shoot and kill a man whom he knew had a young daughter at home?  This was a man, Mr. Reeves, who has probably faced more life and death decisions than most people.  How could he have justified in his mind that Mr. Oulson was presenting a lethal threat? 

Maybe Mr. Reeves is receiving good legal advice and the fact is that he was embarrassed by having popcorn thrown at him.  Maybe the only way he could get his dignity back was to pull out his gun and shoot Mr. Oulson.  That brings me back to my original point, do we now as a society resort to violence when someone challenges our manhood or embarrasses us in public?  Do we not consider the consequences of our actions?  If you would, please take another look at the video above.  Can you count how many peoples lives have been changed forever because of this split second decision.  A decision that was made without hesitation and without consideration for what would happen afterwards.  

I also wanted to express my feelings on one other aspect of the video above.  Take a listen to Mr. Reeve's daughter argue for his bail to be reduced.  She states that he has medical issue and arthritis and that he has ties to the community and would not flee from justice.  I wonder if Mr. Reeve's daughter looked at Mr. Oulson's widow and wondered how the rest of her life would be.  Did she consider what Ms. Oulson tells her daughter every night when she puts her to bed and her father is no where to be found.  Did she consider how her daughter will never have her dad watch her play soccer, graduate from high school, walk her down the aisle, etc.  How could Mr. Reeve's daughter stand up there and aruge that her father should be let out of jail.  The fact is that he is facing 25 years in prison which is essentially a life sentence.  What in the world would keep him from fleeing justice?  Why in the world would the judge lower his bond?  

I realize that I have asked an awful lot of questions, but this story hits home with me.  I have been in law enforcement for 20 years and I have young daughters.  I, like most of you, cannot imagine the pain being felt by the widow and the pain that is yet to come for that little girl.  As we go through life we are offered so many choices that will play a part in determining our fate.  I can't help but wonder what could've been if Mr. Reeves would have left his gun at home or if Mr. Oulson wouldn't have been able to find a babysitter. Sometimes life changes in the blink of an eye and the only thing helping to guide our choices is our morals and our ethics.

As this case continues to evolve we are now learning that Mr. Reeves had an argument with another couple several months earlier.  The argument was at the same movie theatre and also involved texting.  I can only imagine how lucky this couple feels to have escaped what could've been their fate several months earlier.  

Well here we are, another law enforcement officer on the wrong side of the ethical conundrum.  I wish it were more difficult to write these postings, unfortunately stories like this are becoming more and more prevalent.  As I leave you for this week I'd like you to consider a few things.  For as much as we say we live in a civilized society, do we really think that is the case?  Why do we put such little value on human life?  As I mentioned above, if the reporting in this story is accurate and Mr. Reeves knew that Mr. Oulson had a daughter at home, can you think of anything more heartless and cold blooded?  

I'd love to hear what all of you think about this case.