Posted on Aug 24, 2017
Deputy Brandon Hegele blamed for high speed crash, severely injuring other driver
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I would really love to get some feedback from our RP Law Enforcement folks here. How do you react when you see an officer charged for misconduct on the job? How has it impacted you personally when it comes to your ability to do your job? How has it impacted your interactions with the public? I ask because I saw this report this morning. The story has been developing since the collision occurred, and it led to this result. I am of the opinion that there are two kinds of people who go into law enforcement the vast majority are the first type of person, the ones who get the vast majority of media attention are the second type. The first type of person are the ones who want to serve. They want to make their communities safer. Like military service, they are willing and able to put their lives in harm's way in service to their community. The second type are people who see a badge as a symbol of authority. They view it as elevating them above the rest of society. They believe that they are above the rules because they enforce the rules. I am not posting this to bash Law Enforcement, or to decry their efforts to make our community safer. I am posting this because I would genuinely like to hear from Law Enforcement Officers on RP how these types of events impact their efficacy.
Deputy Brandon Hegele blamed for high speed crash, severely injuring other driver
Posted from wpbf.com
Law Enforcement
Law
Crime
Police Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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He should have been fired when he was arrested and charged with reckless driving, not retained on admin leave (with pay? - not clear). An officer does not become exempt from the law because he wears a badge and a gun, and anyone who has been an officer long enough knows that people don't get out of your way when running code, much less with no lights and siren. This was beyond reckless.
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LTC Stephen B.
Capt Gregory Prickett - "He should have been fired when he was arrested and charged with reckless driving": I agree. However, the reason is probably due to this organization, or one similar.... https://iupa.org/
I.U.P.A. - The Voice of Law Enforcement Officers
The Voice of Law Enforcement Officers
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
LTC Stephen B. - I am sure he has a rep from his union assisting with his case. Gotta justify those dues somehow.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
LTC Stephen B. - that's one of the reasons for unions, to keep one's job, along with legal insurance.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Capt Gregory Prickett - As an elected Police Union Myself official for over 20 years there are a lot more reasons for Unions than that ! I also had been elected to a Union office at the State council for two terms. We did represent Police Officer's that found themselves in trouble, that was our obligation however in many cases it wasn't even saving their job as there were actions beyond where that was even possible. I some cases it was just keeping them from going to jail even though their job was beyond saving. Our Union executive board did meet and along with the advise of the Union Attorneys had to decide just how far that officer could be represented and defended. I do know how that worked as I participated in those Board meetings. We still had to decide what was reasonable and what was and was not within the scope or His normal police duties. We are NOT legal insurance and misconduct outside the scope of an Officers Police duties was not something We had to represent anyone for which of course didn't stop Him from hiring an attorney of His own. The Officer's in our Union did get represented properly and but there are still limits. The Union here has grown to be the largest single Police Union in Massachusetts with over 85 Police Departments in or state as members. The Board is made entirely of currently serving Police Officer's which is rare for these Unions. Our State organization is the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, State Council 351, AFL-CIO We are part of an International Police Union as well which includes other states, US territories, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers.
A number of Police Chief's have been terminated or ruled against in many of the proceedings in which they had set themselves up as little kings. There would be no need for the Union's if there were no abuses by Management. I have a very long list of abuses by management. I will state however not all chiefs are in that category, most are very good and there are people that should not be Police Officers. Those type of Officers do make the job harder for the rest of us that are performing the duties in the proper manner. We as Police officers ourselves don't want those type of Officers on the Police Departments either.
A number of Police Chief's have been terminated or ruled against in many of the proceedings in which they had set themselves up as little kings. There would be no need for the Union's if there were no abuses by Management. I have a very long list of abuses by management. I will state however not all chiefs are in that category, most are very good and there are people that should not be Police Officers. Those type of Officers do make the job harder for the rest of us that are performing the duties in the proper manner. We as Police officers ourselves don't want those type of Officers on the Police Departments either.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill I have experience with the second type of officer - and it cost me my career (not a story for today). He joined the force because that made him "a cop"! The first call he went to after getting out of field training & was on his own, he responded code. Except he never turned on his lights/sirens. Flew through an intersection & got t-boned. Totally his fault. He got disciplined, but was right back out. Didn't have to go back to field training or anything.
He was always trying to one-up the other officers. He was hired under the premise that he would complete his bachelor's. Never did. And, that being the case, we went after every other officer that had their bachelor's or higher degree. If they looked they they were up for recognition, suddenly something would get accused against them, causing the recognition to disappear. He quit & was rehired 3 times.
If the officer is negligent, I am of the mind that they are held to a higher standard. They know the law. Hell, their purpose is to enforce said law. Their negligence doesn't affect just a singular person, but an entire community.
He was always trying to one-up the other officers. He was hired under the premise that he would complete his bachelor's. Never did. And, that being the case, we went after every other officer that had their bachelor's or higher degree. If they looked they they were up for recognition, suddenly something would get accused against them, causing the recognition to disappear. He quit & was rehired 3 times.
If the officer is negligent, I am of the mind that they are held to a higher standard. They know the law. Hell, their purpose is to enforce said law. Their negligence doesn't affect just a singular person, but an entire community.
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From this article, I'd say this guy will be looking for another job. It is a shame that people got injured because of his reckless behavior.
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LTC (Join to see)
PO3 Steven Sherrill - I remember a chase back in the day, we were called in to assist with a sheriff deputy in pursuit. I don't recall the details of the case, but the Sheriff came on the radio and says shoot out the tires... We rolled up just before the Sheriff arrived on scene. The fella stopped on his own.
The suspect is in the back of the deputy's care, the sheriff checked in with the deputy then walked over to the car, pulled his pistol and started shooting out his tires, Came back to the deputy's car and said "when I tell you to shoot out the tires, I mean shoot out the tires." I'll never forget that one.
The suspect is in the back of the deputy's care, the sheriff checked in with the deputy then walked over to the car, pulled his pistol and started shooting out his tires, Came back to the deputy's car and said "when I tell you to shoot out the tires, I mean shoot out the tires." I'll never forget that one.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
PO3 Steven Sherrill - Smart cars are built like little tanks, at least the passenger compartment, that is why they are so heavy for their size, Their collision ratings are quite good.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
LTC (Join to see) - I don't know who that Sheriff thought He was but He should be prosecuted. At that point the car was already stopped and the driver already in custody. Shooting the tires out of a car is Hollywood crap and should never be done and our training at the Police Academy and Department policy did not allow this type of thing ever for a fleeing vehicle. What that Sheriff did was malicious destruction of property to say nothing of endangering the public with a total disregard for the proper use of a firearm. That statement from the Sheriff in My opinion was an unlawful order as well as a display of extreme stupidity and should never have been obeyed !
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