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Patrolman Daniel Martin chokes Creek Nation
paramedic Maurice White during an altercation
along the highway.
When it comes to covering the May 24 altercation between Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Daniel Martin and Creek Nation paramedic Maurice White, Patricia Phillips, Oklahoma Crime Examiner, has done the heavy lifting. I'm not going to try to reinvent the wheel by replicating her coverage of the incident. But I do want to comment on Patrolman Martin's apparent assumption, backed by the thin (and dwindling) ranks of those defending his actions, that a police officer's agenda and preferences should necessarily take priority over those of everybody else on the planet.
We've seen this before -- the automatic expectation of deference on the part of a law-enforcement officer, followed by rage against anybody who fails to comply in all particulars or, worse, offers a contrary point of view. Usually, it's a policeman up against a motorist, or a business owner, or some regular joe going about his or her business. Offer criticism of the officer's actions and you're told by a legion of apologists that the roadside or bar or business or home is no place to debate an officer of the law. Take your ticket, or submit to the handcuffs, and make your argument to the judge (and a jolt from a Taser awaits anybody who deviates from that script).
Video Taken by Patient's Family
But here we have an ambulance crewed by a paramedic and a driver, transporting a patient to the hospital. Paramedic Maurice White and driver Paul Franks incurred Patrolman Martin's wrath, according to the officer's own words and video of the incident, by failing to yield quickly enough to the policeman as Martin sped with lights flashing to a crime scene. Franks may also have flipped Martin the bird (or just waved).
And ... so? Why should an ambulance carrying a patient for medical treatment be expected to jerk to a halt at the side of the road in deference to a police officer responding to a call? Remember that the ambulance did pull over, just not fast enough for Patrolman Martin's taste.
And why should a police officer be entitled to stop an ambulance transporting a patient, and not only delay that patient's arrival at the hospital, but also physically confront the paramedic caring for that patient?
Is the police officer's concern over an insufficiently speedy stop and the possibility of a crude hand gesture really of such overriding importance that it takes precedence over the ambulance's business?
Consider this a test case. If you don't see a paramedic's life-saving responsibilities as at least as pressing as the law-enforcement duties of a police officer, there probably is no limit to the authority you're willing to grant any government employee with a badge.
Because really, the answer to any sane person, is that a police officer doesn't get to behave this way. If he has a beef with an ambulance driver, he gets to wait until the patient is safely delivered before he states his case (and does so without laying his hands on anybody).
Let's not forget that, in the words of Sir Robert Peel, who largely invented modern law-enforcement, "Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence."
Yes, cops have an important job to do. But so do a lot of people. When it comes down to it, police officers are just like everybody else, and should be accorded the same respect (but no more) that you'd give a power company lineman or a dentist.
And they don't get to attack people -- whether with their hands or with the law -- who don't offer instant compliance.
Official Dashboard Camera Video of the Incident
email J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com
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Comments
It should be noted that if the police were responding to an actual emergency, they wouldn't have taken the time to stop and harass these paramedics. Unless, of course, they were afraid of responding to said "emergency."
On the side of most police cars it says to protect and serve, every experience I have had with the police they were neither protecting nor serving me, ussually just ruining my day. Paramedics on the other hand have saved my life and the lives of people very close to me. Under no circumstances should a police officer be allowed to treat an EMT this way. esspecially if the ambulance is carrying a patient. This cops should have his badge taken and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.. Not only that but the patient and the EMT's should sue him into the ground so that when he gets out of jail this pig has to work at McDonalds the rest of his life to pay off the law suits. Law enforcement in this country is absolutely out of conntrol and it needs to be put on a much shorter leash. This video right here is NOT what the founding fathers had in mind when they created this country.
not to mention the police make a mess and then paramedics come and clean it up
I'd like you to consider this:
This OHP v. EMT incident has received national attention. YouTube has the incident footage rated as the #2 all-time viewed on the site. Fox News today (Sat. June 13th, 2009) has expressed outrage at the officer's actions. As more Americans learn of the incident, more outrage and attention is being displayed. *** My point is this:
A window of opportunity has emerged for the EMS field.
If we can all take a moment to rise above the emotion of this incident, we can educate and sway the hearts and minds of Americans to the following points:
1. The patient's safety and well-being was put at risk by the officer's actions. As a medical professional, it was Medic White's DUTY to ensure the patient's care. When doctors or EMTs are restricted from this duty, we all are at risk.
2. Medic White's words/actions/demeanor was and is absolutely flawless. It's the officer who appears as the crazed maniac. By keeping a professional face, Medic White was abl
2. Medic White's words/actions/demeanor was and is absolutely flawless. It's the officer who appears as the crazed maniac. By keeping a professional face, Medic White was able to show the world that EMS is a profession with the highest standards. This will most certainly affect the outcome of his case.
3. An EMT is an agent of the public's safety. As with medical doctors, all citizens should be aware and support the duty of such EMS professionals when a medical incident arises. The image and reputation of the medical doctor continues to be regarded in a high manner, and we now have an opportunity to elevate EMS closer to that position.
Of course all of us have read incidents where an EMS professional failed to rise to the standards of the profession. Here we have a case where EMS has exceeded those standards. We need to announce this incident to the world. I hope Medic White is rewarded for his professionalism, but I further hope that EMS is rewarded for the high standards that
Civil Liberties Examiner, does that make me Dr. of Truth, as you can see the officer does not have a problem with the other Ambulance driver, the muscle head driver clearly resists arrest and fails to comply with the officers instruction.
Trooper Martin's attorney has stated that Martin acted in such a manner because he recently returned from duty in Iraq. Could Trooper Martin suffer from PTSD?? I don't know, but his actions certainly suggest it. Should the State of Oklahoma be liable for hiring a State cop without vetting his mental health? I think the lesson here is, Medics can encounter situations where a calm demeanor and level head can diffuse even the most tense situations. Maybe Medic White needed to recognize that Trooper Martin was having a mental issue. But I can say that if I were faced with a similar situation, I'm not sure I would have been able to keep my cool as well at White did.
Just how urgent was Partolman Martin's presence
at said "crime scene" if he deemed it more important to pull over the ambulance which is actually transporting a patient? Has anyone reported on the crime that he was responding to?
This trooper needs a rest.. PTSD or whatever.. he cannot handle stress well enough to be behind the wheel of his cruiser ... let alone to be armed!!!!!!! As the manager of an Advanced Life Support ambulance service, I would be appalled if one of my medics were ever to be treated in such a manned!!!
More nd more police are out of control. If this cop had such an emergency, then why was he wasting time with an ambulance that is also an emergency vehicle. Police need to be prosecuted when they break the law and more often than the general poulation. They get awy with everything, drunk driving , speeding , etc. Icnat help but think if there were less police there would be less crime. Ive never needed one and they have never needed me. If you relly need a cop its usually too late to call.
I have taught my son and daughter to be afraid of the police. I’ve warned them that most of the individuals riding around in police cars are sadistic losers with bad attitudes that don’t’ have any marketable job skills.
If my kids are ever pulled over (especially with a pet or small child in the car) they have been instructed to find the most public place possible before they stop and to make sure they turn on their cell phone video recorder. After that, they need to just shut up and put up with whatever abuse is thrown at them and to remember that the person abusing them is perfectly capable of killing them and would suffer no consequences for doing so.
“To Protect and Serve” means to ”protect” my own cowardly butt and to “serve” my own best interests. It is a sad day when we have to live in fear of the public servants we pay to protect us. It’s about time that the people finally stand up and say “Enough!!”, but I’m afraid it’s too late for that, try it sometime and see how fa
1. Ambulance not running with emergency lights on, which means patient not in critcal need of hospitalization. Therefore ambulance must yield to cop who had his lights on. We know he had his lights on because his camera was activated by emergency lights.
2. Cop was attempting to cite driver and manager attempts to interfere. It is unlawful to interfere with an officers actions when trying to conduct an investigation, write a ticket or make an arrest. The cop warned the manager about this. The offense is an arrestable offense.
3. While attempting to make an arrest the manager resists and so ensues the physical altercation between cop and medic.
The cop didn't make the law he just enforces it. People make law.
Was he a little unprofessional with his language? Was the medic unprofessional with the finger? Cops are taught to keep the situation under control. Don't cause problems won't be none. I wonder as a fellow public officer why the medic gave the cop the finger. That ain't
TJ
This is not about the absolute interpretation of the law. This is about common sense. The trooper most assuredly failed in the second, and probably failed in the first. He is an idiot that should not be allowed on the force. you either.
As long as we find it acceptable to pay functional illiterates millions of dollars every year to play professional sports while we pay those who serve and protect and educate our children a relative pittance, we will continue to attract inferior personnel to fill those jobs.
I have seen the portion of the video on the morning news. I don't pretend to know the whole story, but from what I saw, the cop was way out of hand. He was screaming uncontrollably at the paramedic. The parmedic was upset but was behaving in a much more professional manner. I would like to know the "emergency" that the cop was responding to. If this was a real "emergency" and the ambulance was not yielding, take down the ambulances ID number, respond to the "emergency", then report the ambulance driver to the apporpriate authorities. This cop need to be remobed from the force. We don't need this type of "harassment"!
There is a clear chain of command at any emergency scene, based on who is present at the scene. In ANY scene with a medic and patient present and no immediate danger to anyone else present, the MEDIC is ALWAYS in charge.
The officer had every right to pull the ambulance over, however, upon recognizing that there was a patient present, and that the officer's complaint was not related to the immediate danger to anyone on the scene, all parties should have followed the medic's orders. His failure to do so elevated the on-scene threat by adding criminal interference.
The medic's response was appropriate: he attempted to reason with the officer.
I would have called a code and run with lights and sirens. Cops are trained to deal with arguments by taking control of the situation, and their control is causing the problem in the first place. The solution is to create a situation they know they cannot control.
1. Although the DashCam doesn't show the Trooper's Cruiser speed, it seems a little fast for the situation! I believe you will find all State Laws to state "not to exceed a speed that would endanger public safety!" At one point, you can hear the Cruiser's tires squeel on the pavement!
2. Why is the Trooper's wife in the car with him? He has no idea as to his next call so does he have no respect for her safety?
3. As an EVOC instructor, we KNOW that visual indicators are the only sure way of identifying emergency vehicles. The driver is watching the car off the road ahead of him, he has EMS radios going off & probably AC. He won't hear the Cruiser Siren. I didn't SEE the ambulance's mirrors until the Cruiser pulled out to pass.
4. Earlier reports say the Driver had his arm out the window to give the BIRD! NOT if the AC is on! The video shows the window is up.
5. After he clears the gas station, he runs a stop sign and guns the engine to catch EMS.
6. Then as he pulls away from the scene he nearly hits the pickup.
I'm an Okie by birth, but I'll stay here in VT where we work hand in had with the Vermont State Police. Mutual respect and assistance always when we're on calls together. They also pull over for us when we run hot!
What did the EMS Crew do right?
The Driver pulled to the right "when it was safe!"
What did they do wrong?
Paramedic White stepped out of the rear box. Unless there was another EMT of equal certification, he "abandoned" his patient.
What would've been the best thing to do using hind sight?
Depends on the patient's condition as not all serious calls require lights and siren. Notifying dispatch and the Trooper that you are continuing to the Hosp would be a good bet. (Risking a pit maneuver or spike strips from the outraged OHP)
EMT-VT-12yrs raised the point that Paramedic White technically abandoned his patient; I would argue that the officer unlawfully interfered with the patient's care. Preventing a medic from performing his duty is a crime; assaulting a medic is a felony.
The officer could have followed the ambulance to the hospital and cited the driver there, if he so chose. The alleged traffic violation (and the alleged "hand gesture" if it even happened), was insufficient to justify detaining the driver and his passengers in this situation.
The officer was completely out of line. I hope he's brought up on charges.
These policemen need to be sacked first and prosecuted for endagering the life of the patient in the ambulance
This is a case of abuse of the powers given to the police by the policemen in question
They and others like them are an embarrassment to the police force
"Protect & Serve" is a marketing slogan, not reality. The cop should be fired & possibly have charges filed against him. The ambulance pulled over when safe. The slower car in front of the ambulance prevented any sooner response. The Cop is completely in the wrong.
I have run across police officers with that same attitude. They think they are God. To hell with the police. My language was appropriate the first time.
The EMT is Lucky he is black he has the full support of black protection groups, he would have been totaly screwed if he as say asian, arabic or an american indian. Oh ya the crazy cops involved and specialy the one who grabbed the EMT by the throat. They should lose there jobs and be prosecuted for assualt , just like anyone else breaking the law.
It's pretty clear that the cop blew it. However, the OSP completely botched the aftermath. The entire public outrage could have been avoided if the OSP would simply have apologized, said their cop exercised bad judgement, then had the cop and the medic work out their issues as professionals. Circling the wagons, refusing to release the tape, defending the behavior, and allowing the situation to devolve to the point where attorneys are going public with their statements is exactly the wrong way to handle this.
Citizens know that cops (and medics) are human and make mistakes. OSP, get off your high horse, admit your errors, handle the personnel issues internally, and move on. As long as you duck and cover the problem will simply fester with the public and the next incident will escalate. Figure it out...it's pretty easy.
Gotta say it. TJ is an idiot. He either didn't watch the tape before he formed his opinion or he watched it and didn't give a damn. Either way he is an idiot.
White said several times, "We can work this out at the hospital." Dickhead didn't want it that way. He wanted to count coup.
He belongs in prison. Fortunately there is one close by. I hope he gets to sample its hospitality.
The police officer was totally out of line. I hope the family of this unfortunate patient and the EMT and Paramedic sue this unprofessional jerk to the full extent of the law (civil and criminal) and the state of Oklahoma for hiring the jerk (to call him a law enforcement officer is a insult to all good professional officers). Trooper Martin's attorney's use of his client's excuse that he was recently returned from Iraq is an insult to all our vets. True some vets have aggression after serving. But to be a vet you have to understand that seeing or doing horrible things could happen and if you can't deal with that don't join up( it is voluntary now you are not drafted). This defense is a cop out. I have been a LPN for 13 years I know the great job emergency services do. This incident shows how little respect that EMT's and Paramedics receive. They do a great job and should be praised for it. Thanks Guys and Gals for all your help. God Bess all of you!
Daniel Martin has done it again. He has brutalized a man for no reason with an extendable baton. This man did nothing and presented no threat. He was merely at the scene of a traffic stop and was walking past and asked what had happened and when told to go out to the curb, kept walking to enter a house to start work. Martin is crazy with a sick male ego rage and represents a small percent of police who take such a job for the opportunity to dominate. How many of us has he abused that were never exposed? Is there a defect in police training or is it the men that are attracted to it?
I'm sorry, but this cop is ridiculous. I normally have every bit of respect for people who devote their careers to keeping us safe. But that is just dumb. He has no right to have the "holier-than-thou" attitude. Maybe he was just having a bad day at home he was having trouble speeding up your computer, but I doubt it. http://www.computershaman.com/112/
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