Ok. I'm mad.

GraphiteZen · 05-04-2008, 11:13 AM

Get this.
As some of you may know, my mother has cancer and has had cancer for close to ten years. As of now her entire chest area from her shoulders to the bottom of her rib cage is one large open sore. Naturally she in is a lot pain. Now she has to bandage it up everyday, but she also has to have a special type of treated gauze between the wound and the bandaging or else the bandages stick. It is very painful when that happens so she HAS to have this special gauze. Well the hospital ran out and she didn't learn of this until my father went to get more once she needed more. The only other place that has it is Rices pharmacy and at 5:45 he calls and is told they close at 6:00, no they can't stay open.
So, he is clocked speeding right before the pharmacy and when the cop walked up my dad tells him that he HAS to be at the pharmacy before 6:00, it is a medical emergency. So the cop tells him to go and pull over at the street right BEFORE the pharmacy (why, I do not know) so my father continues into the parking lot and parks. He gets out and is walking up to the pharmacy with the intention of telling them he is there so to wait, gets halfway through the door and the cop runs up, grabs him by his collar and attempts to yard him out with tazer in hand yelling "I'M GOING TO TAZER YOU! I'M GOING TO TAZER YOU!" My dad tells him again that it is a medical emergency and is told to put his hands on the car. The female cop is standing there with tazer in hand yelling ""I'M GOING TO TAZER HIM! I'M GOING TO TAZER HIM!" while my father is standing there with his hands on the car.
The people in the pharmacy come out to see what the hell is going on since they know my father (he is there all the time) and go inside to get him what he needs.
They proceed to charge him with speeding (46 in a 35), resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. All told about $6000 in fines and possible jail time.

Don't cops any discretion anymore?

No Fences · 05-04-2008, 11:16 AM

I think I'd get a good lawyer. That's too bad.

Duckwheat · 05-04-2008, 11:30 AM

Lawyer up.

There are some real genius's out there. 11 mph, over nothing spells wanton criminal like 11 mph over the speed limit.

The only way this could have been worse is if they decided to tazer him and being an old guy that did not go so well.

Second thought, I might not lawyer up. I'd talk to the DA first and see what their mood is like. I would not admit to anything, just see if they are interested in anything other than a misdemeanor speeding ticket. If they pursue it I'd lawyer up and let the media know. They would love a good Barney Fife story.

Common sense is not so common, that's Mark Twain I think.

DW

GraphiteZen · 05-04-2008, 11:37 AM

Thanks so far.

I forgot to mention he was also wearing a suit and drives a new Prius.

Bull Hunter · 05-04-2008, 11:39 AM

I would almost bet money that was the Beaverton City Police.

Salmo Gairdnerii · 05-04-2008, 12:29 PM

Make sure and tell your story to the G.T. With all of the bad publicity the Corvallis PD has been getting about the renagade DUI cop, I would imagine they might like the whole ordeal with your dad to just go away. Good luck, SG.

Dave G · 05-04-2008, 12:56 PM

Yes, I would get a lawyer.

Medics-R-US · 05-04-2008, 01:34 PM

Get a lawyer, go directly to the DA and the Mayor and tell them what has happended!! Inform them that your next step will be to contact the media if this is not resolved to your satisfaction.

Do not let them bully you or your dad. Stand your ground and go get em.

Gus Orviston · 05-04-2008, 03:36 PM

turn it around.. if a suspect gets away because they are screaming "medical emergency" we would all be in an uproar.

definitely talk to the DA,, and in the future plan ahead better. Hope it all works out for the best.

gus

SouthCoastStu · 05-04-2008, 04:41 PM

Did the pharmacy have a security camera on the entrance/parking lot? That video footage would be gold......

Something Good · 05-04-2008, 04:57 PM

This can't be true. I haven't been bullied around by a badge heavy cop in over a week.

Get a lawyer and alert the media. I'm getting tired of being pushed around by cops but I suppose it's safer for them than chasing after criminals.

chrome obsession · 05-04-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Something Good

This can't be true. I haven't been bullied around by a badge heavy cop in over a week.

Get a lawyer and alert the media. I'm getting tired of being pushed around by cops but I suppose it's safer for them than chasing after criminals.

.....I do respect the true honest cops, but it sure seems like there are far more ego ridden cops that think they are God and take their power to their heads!!!...Again not disrespecting the real true cops that are honest and do their jobs RIGHT!!...

I am sorry to hear about that situation, I hope those cops learn A lesson of some harmless sort...

Salmo Gairdnerii · 05-04-2008, 05:36 PM

I don't think an individual wearing a suit and driving a Prius fits the description of the common criminal. The Corvallis Police officer should have handled the situation differently, especially if she noticed a well dressed man heading to a pharmacy yelling medical emergency. Just my

SG.

Pete · 05-04-2008, 05:40 PM

I'm sorry for being a contrary voice, but if something is a true "medical emergency" dial 9-1-1 and you'll get a high speed ride. If there really is a problem and it creates extenuating circumstances, the court will reverse the charges. We do not want police to also act as judges or juries. When they see someone breaking the law, they have a duty to do certain things. It is not their job to decide which law breaking is ok and which isn't.

SalmonJeff · 05-04-2008, 06:04 PM

I wouldn't be to surprised if the D.A drops this for you.

All I can say is as a former cop it somtimes is not as clear at the moment things are happening as it is reading it on the internet from one side (not that your side is not true just a perspective thing)... sorry for all your troubles I would be pretty up set as well. hope it ends well...

If not LAWYER UP! and you'll win

Gus Orviston · 05-04-2008, 06:11 PM

What is with the suit thing.. should I expect to get tazor'd if I have a medical emergency in the middle of the night and run out in my jammies? makes zero sense and I hope our police force never uses attire as a determinign factor in how they handle situations.

Mmm,, now is that knock off emporio armani or the real thing... better get the 9 out just in case it isn't authentic

yes.. 911 would be appropriate and a hostipal is going to have what you need.. ala a true medical emergency is just that, go get the help needed. heck many uninsured do it that way , why not.

as before.. good luck! gus

MsOutdrs · 05-04-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I'm sorry for being a contrary voice, but if something is a true "medical emergency" dial 9-1-1 and you'll get a high speed ride. If there really is a problem and it creates extenuating circumstances, the court will reverse the charges. We do not want police to also act as judges or juries. When they see someone breaking the law, they have a duty to do certain things. It is not their job to decide which law breaking is ok and which isn't.

I don't see how calling 9-1-1 would be justifiable. Just as I don't see the policemens' actions justifiable. #l) no one is going to take this man on a red-light, siren blaring, ride to the pharmacy. #2) 9--1-1 would ask if the situation is an emergency, and if they were told it was, they would send an ambulance to take you to the hospital, not the pharmacy, and I would suspect the ambulance bill would be on these poor folks' tab. I lay it all at the policemens' feet. In my opinion, they acted poorly. Perhaps they will be able to work something out with the pharmacy if this happens in the future...I'd say the pharmacy was a little "iron fisted" in this scenerio too not to give the man an extra 5-10 min to get there, driving the legal speed.

Fast Water · 05-04-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Orviston

What is with the suit thing.. should I expect to get tazor'd if I have a medical emergency in the middle of the night and run out in my jammies?

No. you should expect to be tazered if you continue to disobey an officer.

JustCallMeDave · 05-04-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckwheat

Lawyer up.

There are some real genius's out there. 11 mph, over nothing spells wanton criminal like 11 mph over the speed limit.

Let's focus less on the number and more on the percentage. He was going about 33% faster than the posted speed. Focusing on the 11 mph over isn't fair, because 71 in a 60 is much different than 36 in a 25. Going 33% faster when the speed limit is 60 would be doing 80 in a 60, which is worthy of police attention.

Like Pete pointed out, these officers were trying to assess the situation with whatever small amount of information that they had. What the person drives and what they wear doesn't recuse them from being a potential risk. They're trying to protect us, and that includes the folks in the pharmacy.

I hope that rational heads prevail down at the courthouse.