Oklahoma Trooper Daniel Martin Suspended
Daniel Martin, the Oklahoma Trooper who was caught on video struggling with paramedic Maurice White has been suspended without pay for five days. Martin must also undergo an anger assessment.
Martin's attorney, Gary James, previously stated the video would vindicate Trooper Martin.
According to Fox News,
An internal investigation concluded that Trooper Daniel Martin was justified in stopping and arresting paramedic Maurice White during a traffic stop, but "the situation could have, and should have, been handled differently," Highway Patrol spokesman Capt. Chris West told reporters at a news conference.Maurice White has filed a lawsuit seeking punitive and compensatory damages.
The investigation also found that Martin should have allowed the ambulance to proceed to the hospital when he realized it was carrying a patient, West said.
Posted by Karl Mansoor at 7/23/2009 8:24 PM 
Categories: Excessive Force
Tags: Civilian Oversight Excessive Force
Categories: Excessive Force
Tags: Civilian Oversight Excessive Force
It will be sad if that is the end of the disciplinary chain on this one.
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Based on the fractional amount of information it is difficult to tell, in my view, whether the five-day suspension is sufficient.
Did the Trooper have an absolutely stellar record previously? If so, then maybe, and just maybe, the suspension and anger assessment may correct the problem. Trooper Martin and OHP still have a civil suit to contend with also.
If there is a history of excessive force or some other issue, I am not sure a five day unpaid cool-off will put out the fire.
If Trooper Martin accepts his suspension and really sees a need for change and implements it, that could be called a success. If he fights tooth and nail taking his medicine, well...
...and of course nobody at OHP will be calling me anytime soon for my opinion so...
Thanks for stopping by!
KM
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Karl,
There is the report that he was fired by a town council for being overly-agressive in his approach to the citizenry. From what's available, I'd say he's got the wrong personality to wear the uniform.
You might want to read this link, enthusiastically posted by one CHN, over at Carlos' site:
http://law-chronicles.blogspot.com/2009/07/dont-tread-on-me.html
(from the coments of "Media missing the real issue of the Harvard prof arrest".)
I, for one, would like to hear your thoughts regarding this guy.
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Nemo,
If you are asking my thoughts on the approach to policing as indicated by the author of the post at Johnny Law Chronicles, I'm not very comfortable with it as described.
No human being that I know of, cop or otherwise, enjoys being the recipient of disparaging comments. However, I think it is dangerous ground for the public and police when police largely let their personal hurt feelings dictate their actions.
That's my short answer.
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Yes, that's the post I was referring to, and no, I'm not comfortable with it, either.
It strikes me that not only are there more danjerous jobs than being an LEO, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there are jobs which draw more abuse, too - customer service rep comes to mind.
I've worked CS, and while the majority of the people I dealt with were reasonable, professional folks, there were jerks, too. Oddly, despite having a certain amount of leeway on that job, I was able to deal with the jerks without resorting to doing a bad job. I had to, given the field I was working in (avionics), peoples' lives depended on me doing the job right, rather than screwing things up. Hmmm... Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
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Where is my comment????
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I wrote a comment earlier tonight and it does not show up about the Oklahoma Trooper. What it too much and so I am not entitled to my thoughts so you decided not to show it??
What happened to freedom of speech??
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Scott,
The content of your original post is consistent with your ignorance of not knowing where you posted. Furthermore, there is no Constitutionally protected "freedom of speech" here. This is not a government sponsored operation. The public is only allowed to comment here by my choice - or not.
You posted your original comment at this location. I have no idea why you got stumped with this simple process. Perhaps your outlook on the Trooper Martin incident and your apparent and unfortunate racist bent reflects deeper issues. Try to understand that all people, regardless of superficial characteristics, are basically the same. Any person can rise above a challenging situation just as any person can stoop low and be the cause of a problem. Race, nationality, gender, etc. really has nothing to do with it.
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11/10/2009 9:44 PM
Scott wrote:Editor's note: Evidently Scott has now realized his error in not being able to figure out where he posted in the first place so he tried to post his original comment again here. No need to be redundant Scott, so I deleted the repeat. People can see your comment at its original location if they want and they can also get to it via my link in my previous response.
Behave yourself or you will get banned - just a friendly warning.
KM
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I am sorry that I did not see the other links to the comments, I just overlooked it. But don't address me as being ignorant, I probally have a lot more education than you have or ever will. I have a Doctorial in Law from Harvard, a PHD in Police Science and a PHD in Psyscoliogy. I was a Law Enforcement Officer for ten years so I do know about working on the streets. Don't call me a racist, I have several black lawyers working for my law firm, but the truth is the truth.
Now if you would like to meet face to face and discuss our views, please let me know.
Scott
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Wow, a "PHD in Psyscoliogy[sic]!" That says it all! And a Doctor of Law too! ...with several "black lawyers" working at your firm... I am thoroughly impressed! How could I ever have misjudged you from your original post?
Scott, I don't care to discuss anything further with you, face-to-face or otherwise.
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Karl, contrary to your belief, you are as much bound by the First Amendment to accept and post Scott's comment as any government agency. You do NOT have any power to disregard Scott's freedom of speech rights. They attach to you through the Due Process clause of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. I'm an undergraduate student of the State University of New York. I recommend to Scott he get a court order or subpoena to command you to appear before him. For your censoring dissenting opinions, you will be held to answer. I would readily render judgment against you and order you to cease and desist now and in the future from censoring or otherwise restricting any posts, even if you don't like them. You would be ordered to accept and POST EACH and EVERY post that comes your way. And just for punishment and teaching you humility, I would also order you to pay Scott and others you wronged some serious financial penalties. You need to be humbled, Mr. Mansoor.
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You really should get off those street drugs, they're bad for you.
KM
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You're lucky you hide where you're from so well. That comment of yours I seriously would file suit against you for, for libel and attempted defamation of character. Also, I want to say this as a substantive answer to the premise of this entire page. I don't like what Trooper Martin did, what he did disgraces not just all of the law enforcement community but all emergency service workers, paid and volunteer. I'm a volunteer with a small volunteer fire department in upstate New York. But what you did in censoring those who support Trooper Martin was grossly unconstitutional and a violation of who knows how many international legal documents, such as the UN Declaration of Rights and for Europeans reading this, the European Convention of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Even sleaze like Daniel Martin and his clique have the right of speaking out and being heard, even by those who don't want to hear it. Sorry Mr. Mansoor, you lose this battle. I have legal and historical precedent on my side, so you SO badly lose. Admit defeat already, apologize to Scott, reinstate ALL his posts and apologize to me and maintain everything I write, critical of you and your position on the rights of people on this blog.
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hmm...let's see...an anonymous commenter tells me, "You're lucky you hide where you're from so well." Oh, I get it now! I see you are a comedian. That is just too much! Please stop, I can't get anything done because I am laughing so hard. And that part about you demanding an apology - that is absolutely hilarious! Do you have a nightclub circuit you travel?
If you can't figure out what the sarcasm is meant to convey, then please allow me to spell it out more clearly - get yourself educated and get serious or you will be banned from here as well. I don't have time for your nonsense.
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Time to come out of hiding I see. Well well, more censorship threats if I don't take your side and agree you have the right to choke off the free speech rights of people who do support Daniel Martin. I DARE you to ban me. You do it, I'll have this blog flagged and have YOU banned and this blog DELETED. Two can play this game. I do not tolerate people like you who trample over the rights of others at your sole whim. That has to be stopped. And I will stop you, whatever it takes.
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Dude, you really need to chill out...by the way, you've used up all your chances.
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