California Highway Patrol Officer Arrests Chula Vista Firefighter at Scene of Accident

The D.C. Clothesline ^ | 02/05/2014 | Dean Garrison

[deandg99]

The unnamed firefighter was allegedly asked to move the firetruck which was presumably blocking traffic. Preliminary reports are that he did not refuse but responded by saying that he had to follow the chain of command and could not make that decision. The officer apparently told him that he would move the truck immediately or be arrested. When the firefighter refused he was cuffed and detained for about 30 minutes.

[Vendome]

Geee, Officer needle deck. Did that result in the truck being moved to a place of your liking and under your almighty power and authority ?

You can’t seriously expect a very prompt much less efficient response should you ever require help from this fire

I understand every girlfriend you ever and your sadly disappointed wife have confirmed what a small man you really are.

Life sure dealt you the short end of the stick.

[PAR35]

You load cops up with steroids, and you’ll have an occasional unfortunate incident. Nothing in the update about any cops being disciplined or any apologies to the firefighter (or even dismissal of charges.

If I was the fire chief, I’d tell the state patrol that they could work any highway accidents on their own.

[NVDave]

Where’s the holster-sniffers here on FR to point out how the cop is right, hmmm?

[ArmstedFragg]

I think the next time CHP requested assistance, I’d send along a couple of city cops with “keep the peace” instructions.

[Domangart]

They went for the pop corn.

[Political Junkie Too]

The fireman and the policeman should be friends.
Oh, the fireman and the policeman should be friends.
One man likes to push a plough, the other likes to chase a cow,
But that's no reason why they cain't be friends.

-PJ

[DakotaGator]

Normally there is an Incident Commander immediately in charge of the scene utilizing a chain-of-command. That Commander and his staff have complete authority over the scene.

I suspect this is what the Firefighter was referring to. And if the CHP Trooper was neither the Incident Commander nor part of the incident's command structure, he had absolutely no authority to order moving the fire truck.

If the CHP Trooper did not have that authority, then his order was illegal. If his order was illegal, then his detention of the Firefighter was false arrest.

I'm sure there is a great deal of CYA scrambling going on right now with unofficial inter-agency negotiations on how to whitewash this cock-up.

[TChad]

That makes perfect sense.

[nvscanman]

You are most certainly correct in describing the format that should be
followed. Problem is that the badgemonkey belongs to a fraternity that
routinely refuses to police itself. Nothing will happen to the thug. He will
be sent back out to the highways to harass and abuse citizens, the fire
fighter might perhaps get some taxpayer cash to help cover up the incident.
It will be business as usual.

[maddog55]

Obviously reverse racism. Cop looks to be of Mexican decent arresting a white boy and this would be considered payback.

I see a potential beer summit.

[Borderline]

Absolutely back to business as usual after a minimal examination of the event.

Worst part is, he’ll be out being the BIG MAN with every last motorist he pulls over. Puffed up blowhard.