Cop arrests firefighter

**Standard Dave** · 02-19-08, 02:21 PM

Slightly WTF is going on no sound so not really sure

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=233_1203031330

**lewisipso** · 02-19-08, 02:47 PM

Hmmmm....maybe for not authorizing moving the firetruck out of the lane of traffic?

**Five-0** · 02-19-08, 05:49 PM

I personally like having something the size of a firetruck protecting me from traffic on a wreck scene. There must be more to this one.

**Willowdared** · 02-19-08, 06:34 PM

Wasn't the story posted about this earlier? Kinda interesting to see the video.

Maybe a case of tunnel vision?

**I couldn't find it posted here, but I found the story**

Jury awards $17,500 to fireman arrested at scene of accident
By Robert Patrick
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/14/2008

Hazelwood — Federal court jurors awarded $17,500 on Wednesday to a fire captain arrested by a Hazelwood police officer in a dispute over where a firetruck was parked during a 2003 car crash rescue.

Juror Betsy Vennemann said after the verdict, "We wanted to make a statement that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated."

Capt. David Wilson won $7,500 in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages. Jurors, including a nun, said they went easy on the defendant, Officer Todd Greeves, because he has a family and they weren't sure who would pay the bill.
Jurors hear dispute over arrest of firefighter at scene

Wilson testified that the Robertson Fire Protection District truck was parked in a way to protect rescuers working to free a victim from wreckage along Interstate 270 at McDonnell Boulevard. Advertisement

Greeves ordered that the truck be moved to accommodate passing traffic and arrested Wilson for ignoring him. Wilson was released after 23 minutes and never charged. He sued, claiming civil rights violations that opened him to anxiety and humiliation.

Greeves told the court the truck was creating a hazard and not adding to safety at the scene.

Jurors interviewed after the verdict said their feeling about Greeves was reinforced during the punitive phase of the trial, when they heard there had been other complaints about him. An internal affairs investigation determined that Greeves used excessive force in a 2002 arrest, court documents show, and was the subject of several other complaints.

Before Wednesday's deliberations, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Ann Medler had already ruled that Greeves had no probable cause to arrest Wilson, who she said had state law on his side. She also dismissed the city of Hazelwood as a defendant.

"The whole police and fire communities have been watching this case," said Bevis Schock, one of Wilson's lawyers. "Everybody wanted to know who controls the fire scene."

Greeves' lawyer, Peter Dunne, said he was disappointed in the verdict and the discussion of the other complaints against Greeves. Dunne also said it was unfair to suggest that Greeves did not care about the firefighters' safety.

Dunne said that the city's insurance would not pay for the costs and that the issue is "complicated." Schock said he thinks the insurance probably would pay the compensatory damages, and possibly the punitive. Also at issue is payment of unspecified lawyers' fees.

Spokespersons for the fire district and Hazelwood police could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

**jmur5074** · 02-19-08, 07:56 PM

I had been taught in several classes when I was a volunteer FF that the Chief fire official on scene has command over an accident scene. I'm not sure if I believe that, or even agree with it at some points.

But regardless of who's "in charge" it really never has been, and never should be an issue.

Common goal folks, common goal.

**10-42Adam** · 02-20-08, 09:15 AM

I wish that video had better audio....

**Beans** · 02-20-08, 09:17 AM

That happened here is St. Louis. Been all over the news.

**Motorwaycop** · 02-21-08, 10:27 AM

I can see exactly what happened,
He asked the fireman to move the truck as it was probably parked in a live lane and serving no purpose other than blocking another lane.
The casualty was probably just another "whiplash/$" injury and there was no need for urgent medical attention(looked like other paramedic was there anyway)
Fireman told the cop to go swivel and cop not unaturaly took offence and swivelled back.

Life is simpler here
Firemen in charge of fires, we are in charge of everything else.

**nsb22** · 02-21-08, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

I can see exactly what happened,
He asked the fireman to move the truck as it was probably parked in a live lane and serving no purpose other than blocking another lane.
The casualty was probably just another "whiplash/$" injury and there was no need for urgent medical attention(looked like other paramedic was there anyway)
Fireman told the cop to go swivel and cop not unaturaly took offence and swivelled back.

Life is simpler here
Firemen in charge of fires, we are in charge of everything else.

I can't watch the video due to being at work, but I will speak my opinion on that.

It wasn't just taking up another lane doing nothing. We use firetrucks to protect all of the repsonders on a scene of an accident. It is a hell of a lot better to have a retarded motorist hit the big ass truck than it is to let same driver hit the responders.

Just use a PD car you say? Nope. The car moves to easily when struck by another vehicle. When a big red truck is struck by a car, well I'm sure you know what happens next.

**gozling** · 02-21-08, 11:20 AM

all i can say is wow....

**kjlaw** · 02-21-08, 11:40 AM

We have had similar incidents with the local FD never to the point of arrest but same reason.

Our FD believes that they can block not only the lane or lanes involved in the incident but one more just because. I agree that I like having the Engine protecting the scene but sometimes they go to far. Also Law Enforcement is in charge of scene security and therefore has the overall say so in how much of the road is closed.

This case shows that FD was there for medical as a first responder and since there was no active fire WE have the say so.

**ex401mp** · 02-21-08, 05:00 PM

I am glad we get along pretty good with the firefighters in my county. That is until we played them in full contact football and beat their asses . But seriously, we do get along pretty well with them.