Posted on 12/29/2012 6:59:01 AM PST by george76
The Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the center of firestorm after she pulled over a speeding cop at gunpoint said fellow law enforcement officers have created a "life-threatening" situation that caused her to be in such fear for her safety she has become a "hermit."
Trooper Donna "Jane" Watts' 69-page lawsuit, filed in federal court Friday, seeks more than $1 million in damages. She is suing more than 100 police officers and agencies, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The suit alleges 88 law enforcement officers from 25 jurisdictions illegally accessed her personal information more than 200 times, violating her privacy.
Watts made national news in October 2011 when she pulled over off-duty Miami Police Officer Fausto Lopez for speeding in his marked patrol car on Florida's Turnpike in Broward County.
She followed him for seven minutes and later wrote in a report that he was darting in and out of lanes at speeds exceeding 120 mph. She approached his cruiser with her gun drawn, yelling, and then handcuffed him.
Lopez, who regularly averaged more than 100 mph on his drive between Miami and his home in Coconut Creek, was fired in September.
But in the months after the incident, officers looked up information such as her home address, picture, Social Security number, date of birth, and detailed vehicle description in a database available to police officers, according to her lawsuit.
The suit alleges the police agencies — including the Broward Sheriff's Office, Lauderhill and Hollywood Police — did not properly train their officers, who used the information they received to intimidate Watts
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
I have no sympathy for the fired officer/bully. I see these police acting aggressive, speeding and being generally above the law a lot. I completely believe her. She ought to get out of Dodge if she wants to survive.
She messed with the bull, so she got the horn.
Just more conditioning for the ensuing Police State. No need to worry, it’s for our own good.
These "fellows" wouldn't happen to be union-thug brothers would they?
Driving like an idiot, breaking all sorts of traffic laws.
The first few times I saw the guy, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’z on his way to an accident or something.
After months of this, I finally wrote the constables office with the lic plate #, vehicle markings and such. No response.
After watching this officer time and again passing folks on the right side, blowing stop signs/lights, speeding in excess of 20 to 40 miles an hour over the posted speed limit, passing cars on double yellows...I wrote again to the constables office and complained.
No response. Guess it's ok for these guys to put citizens in jeopardy.
“She messed with the bull, so she got the horn.”
But now it sounds like she has them by the bull gonads...and she’s squeezing hard.
Won’t lead to castration for the bull, but could go a long way in letting the public know the inside story on the herd.
I hope she gets every penny she’s demanding.
Driving like an idiot, breaking all sorts of traffic laws.
The first few times I saw the guy, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’z on his way to an accident or something.
After months of this, I finally wrote the constables office with the lic plate #, vehicle markings and such. No response.
After watching this officer time and again passing folks on the rightside, blowing stop signs/lights, speeding in excess of 20 to 40 miles an hour over the posted speed limit, passing cars on double yellows...I wrote again to the constables office and complained.
No response. Guess it's ok for these guys to put citizens in jeapordy.
Double tap....lol
I agree with you, there are many lessons here for all Police departments to learn from.
Unfortunately these same departments have developed a very high “Us vs. Them” mentality that includes anyone who isn’t one of them.
Now they are turning that line of thought on one of their own. Reminds me of “Serpico” the movie.
I have no doubt her story is true
Taping with one of those little hand-held Sony video cams with subsequent submission to the local Live Action News at 9 reporters might get you some mileage. (...or a ticket every time you back out of the driveway).
>>..or a ticket every time you back out of the driveway<<
Retribution? No? That would be a crime if I’m not mistaken.
Few things worse than a crooked and or power hungry cop.
Seems the cops are becoming so hyper-vigilant now days, every traffic stop becomes even more dangerous from motorist.
Sounds like she didn’t quite understand the blue brotherhood crap. You know.. ignore other cop’s illegal behavior and if pushed... even lie for them. I agree with the other freeper.. if the department allowed her work to become intolerable (to the point where I am sure she feared for her safety) then pay the retirement. What is sad about this case is a good cop (one that upholds the law for everyone not just civilians) is pushed out. Espirit de corp....
Write a letter instead to the local paper.
You often see patrol cars turning on their flashes at intersection to get across and then turn them off after getting through and drive at normal speed.
Now you probably will be “followed” like she’s been!!!
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