Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Paramedic Confrontation

[Ridryder 911]

The trooper was not aware of Paramedic White past when the unit was pulled over and when the confrontation occurred.

Digging up the Paramedics past is irrelevant. Serious, he is NOT the one who attempted to choke down anyone.

Yeah, I know about Maurice's past. I also know the services, the people, and the situation at those services. His methods may not be of my choice, and definitely do not agree 100% of everything he has done or said. I also know some people get tired after a while of the "good ole boy" attitude and when addressed to change, one may get a bad reputation.

All I can say is , when attempting to develop Standards for Critical Care Paramedic, Maurics offered and was professional and alike many here on this forum prefers to want the best qualified and educated. Yeah, sometimes those thoughts also ruffles feathers and if not careful may be called a rebel raiser.... I know I have been accused of being one, but so be it. That is the only way things get changed.

R/r 911

Edited June 24, 2009 by Ridryder 911

[Dustdevil]

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Troo...p3D-9SKp7Q.cspx

Trooper Suspended After Confrontation

Stroud, OK -- Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety say Trooper Daniel Martin has been suspended for five days without pay after an investigation into an incident involving Paramedic Maurice White. Trooper Martin must also go through an anger assessment.

The confrontation between Martin and White was caught on cell phone video on May 24th, after Martin pulled over the ambulance, which was on the way to the hospital with a patient in the back. Lights and sirens were not running; and Martin claimed the ambulance's driver failed to yield to his cruiser.

A letter to Martin from DPS officials says Martin's behavior when approaching "Mr. Franks, the driver of the ambulance, was unnecessary and unprofessional. Your demeanor and language at the scene was also unprofessional. This is not conduct expected by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper." The letter also says Trooper Martin was justified in attempting to arrest White, although it "should have been handled differently."

This decision, just one day after Maurice White filed a lawsuit against Martin seeking damages. White's attorney says he will continue pursuing the lawsuit.

[CBEMT]

This decision, just one day after Maurice White filed a lawsuit against Martin seeking damages. White's attorney says he will continue pursuing the lawsuit.

Coincidence? Riiiiiiight.

[VentMedic]

This is still the best thing to happen to the EMT. He will probably get a large chunk of change regardless of whether it goes to court or it is settled out of court. It may be better if he does go to court since that will give him opportunity to make TV appearances and maybe even sign a book deal. We may see this soon as a Movie of the Week so we can watch the drama of these two pathetic fools on our big screen TVs. Both have serious problems communicating and issues with their anger and egos.

[spenac]

This is still the best thing to happen to the EMT. He will probably get a large chunk of change regardless of whether it goes to court or it is settled out of court. It may be better if he does go to court since that will give him opportunity to make TV appearances and maybe even sign a book deal. We may see this soon as a Movie of the Week so we can watch the drama of these two pathetic fools on our big screen TVs. Both have serious problems communicating and issues with their anger and egos.

Funny sad but true.

[Bunnymedic]

Of course there is more to the story but like the comment said in the news story, the OHP will probably be doing the investigation.

We will never see the dash cam footage.

actually, here it is...

it has both the cell phone and dash cam.

[tniuqs]

This is still the best thing to happen to the EMT. He will probably get a large chunk of change regardless of whether it goes to court or it is settled out of court. It may be better if he does go to court since that will give him opportunity to make TV appearances and maybe even sign a book deal. We may see this soon as a Movie of the Week so we can watch the drama of these two pathetic fools on our big screen TVs. Both have serious problems communicating and issues with their anger and egos.

I look to root cause in this event, it could actually become a positive for the Profession in the long run ... and White clearly identified that he was a Paramedic not an EMT .

I bet OHP will think again before stopping an Ambulance in the middle of the Highway the next time over nothing but Trooper ego.

cheers

[Chief1C]

That was posted on May 27th when the thread began; and both videos have been posted since then. Read more than the first page.

[VentMedic]

I look to root cause in this event, it could actually become a positive for the Profession in the long run ... and White clearly identified that he was a Paramedic not an EMT .

For positive, I hope you are not saying that with a "we showed them cops a thing or two attitude".

Again, both of these two characters had a history of prior events and this would have been destined to have happened with someone by each of them again. It is just unfortunate that it has been taken this far as to make the Paramedic a rich guy and possibly cause the LEO to lose his job. Lawsuits should not be intended for reasons such as this. The Paramedic has no other motive for this lawsuit other than to get what is "owed" to him. Personally I think both should be locked in a cell and let the one who is still alive at the end of the day be the winner or they could come out with a handshake which would be the better outcome.

We also have other headlines making the news with stupid and unprofessional acts by EMTs. The EMT Capt. in NJ was found guilty for disobeying a LEO.

In that case the EMT's haste to reach the patient did injure the LEO, do property damage and could have caused another accident which would have led to more injuries.

Do we really want to engage in an us against them war? Don't we have enough of that within our own professio?

[tniuqs]

For positive, I hope you are not saying that with a "we showed them cops a thing or two attitude".

No not at all that is juvenile.

The STOP was Ridiculous in the first place, the Ambulance had no opportunity to yield and from where I watched the footage, and the monday morning quarterback show, just saying this was the "root cause" of the incident, but continuing to escalate entirely on the man representing the badge well He disgraced HIS fellow officers my bet ... all the others that would have said .. later guys see you in ER ... do you need an escort ?

As that is what would have happened in my HOOD the RCMP rock on !

No stop = no incident .... simple math.

Follow the rig to the ER, it was clearly identified that a patient was under care SO NO QUESTIONS need be asked ! PERIOD, this LEO disrespected the patient's rights and then whent freaking berzerk, but now the OHP has mandated anger management courses .. now that speaks volumes to me, they see it clearly too.

IMHO the LEO should lose his position .. for blatant stupidity, badge ego and undue force ... as for White getting rich well that remains to be seen, I believe it was another "post" I think by R/r ??vouching for Paramedics integrity. I did not in my views of the tapes see anything other than protective reaction by Paramedic White ... protecting his own throat in fact !

Personally I think both should be locked in a cell and let the one who is still alive at the end of the day be the winner or they could come out with a handshake which would be the better outcome

Jail seams a bit extreme in this case and if you have spent anytime actually working in a prison you would know that "might makes right" that is all, a trained soldier returning from Iraq against a Medic providing services to the sick and injured ... good thing there is Lawyers in this case.

Do we really want to engage in an us against them war? Don't we have enough of that within our own profession?

NO one was until that statement ...!

I try to support both my Profession(s) and I support Paramedic White in this case in protecting his patients rights .... making it a them vs us .... way off topic.

cheers

Edited July 23, 2009 by tniuqs