I AM IN HIGH SPEED PAH-SOOT OF A MANIAC!!
Posted on 09/07/2006 9:01:45 AM PDT by weegee
Suspect expected a 'free pass' from officers
Deputies say he mistakenly thought HPD's no-chase policy would let him flee
A driver trying to evade authorities thought a recent change in the Houston Police Department's chase policy would help him get away, authorities said.
But he was running from a different agency.
Regardless, the controversial HPD policy restricting when officers can chase fleeing suspects has been put on hold.
"I think this is an absolute perfect example of the mind-sets that are out there," warned Hans Marticiuc, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, a vocal opponent of the proposed policy change.
"We're sending out a message that we've raised a white flag and given up," he said.
Last month, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt revised HPD's pursuit policy and limited police officers' authority to chase drivers suspected of minor traffic violations.
After criticism from the union and Mayor Bill White, the revision was put on hold until it could be taken before the City Council's public safety committee for public discussion. A hearing is set for Monday.
On Tuesday night, the Harris County Sheriff's Office reports, Richard Javier Ramos, 35, told deputies he thought HPD's revised chase policy was still in effect and would allow him to flee from authorities.
Deputies told him he was mistaken.
"We do not have a no-chase policy," explained Deputy Lisa Martinez. "Nothing has changed in our department. Nevertheless, when law enforcement officials attempt to make a traffic stop, then the violator is supposed to pull over."
About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Martinez said, a sheriff's deputy attempted to pull over Ramos after he saw his Ford Aerostar van blocking the northbound lanes at Aldine Bender and Hardy.
Ramos fled at speeds of up to 80 mph, Martinez said.
The chase proceeded down U.S. 59 before the suspect exited at Kirby and pulled over at a Shell station about 25 minutes later.
HPD officers were alerted and assisted deputies with the chase after Ramos entered the city limits.
Ramos, who had been charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle almost two months ago, was serving jail time on weekends. He was charged with the same offense in this latest incident.
"That's a perfect example of someone who ought to know not to evade police," HPD Capt. Dwayne Ready said.
The pending HPD pursuit policy revisions don't give violators a "free pass" to evade police, Ready said. He said that while the department has always had conditions on its chase policy, it has never forbidden chases outright.
"My advice to the criminal element," Ready said, "is don't confuse the policy with the law, because the law has not changed."
"We do not have a no-chase policy," explained Deputy Lisa Martinez. "Nothing has changed in our department. Nevertheless, when law enforcement officials attempt to make a traffic stop, then the violator is supposed to pull over."
To clarify, the city DID have a no-chase policy that was shelved almost as soon as it was declared.
"Nothing has changed in our department. Nevertheless, when law enforcement officials attempt to make a traffic stop, then the violator is supposed to pull over."
And for the record, criminals are "supposed" to obey, but they are criminals. That's WHY they are outlaws.
Houston crimewave PING
I miss the good old days when the cops would pull long side and blow these sob's tires out with a shotgun.
Smokey and the Bandit!
One of the greatest allies the police have is their dashcam. If they know they are doing the right thing by discharging a firearm to disable the vehicle, the video will vindicate them. One of their best weapons in their arsenal is the PIT maneuver.
But in the bad days of the 1980s 3 drunk off-duty HPD chased down a female driver and shot her (Ida Lee Delany).
Funny how that dashcam only "works" when it shows what they want it to. If it clears the driver it "malfunctioned" or the tape is lost.
My beloved Houston is turning into a lawless 3rd world armpit before my eyes, and I'm getting fed up!
He was able to serve "weekends", probably like this dude. They count it as "48" hours, but it really is "24" - as you show up at 6am, work outside for 12 hours, then go home, and show up at 6 am Sunday and do 12 more.
Unfortunately most of the chases end in crashes into some citizen.
The police should be more proactive in stopping the vehicles (and that can include roadblocks and ramming the cars). They take a more passive stance and let someone ELSE get hit.
If it happened to me, I'd sue the city for negligence.
I AM IN HIGH SPEED PAH-SOOT OF A MANIAC!!
Maybe we should allow them to flee as long as they're going south...
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