Officer disciplined for stopping doctor on way to birth

CNN ^ | March 29, 2005 | AP

[BulletBobCo]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) -- A police officer who stopped a doctor for speeding on his way to deliver a baby, and then took him to the maternity ward in handcuffs, has agreed to an unpaid suspension for lack of judgment.

Dr. Anthony Chidiac was driving his motorcycle 10 miles above the 25 mph speed limit last March when he was stopped by 15-year veteran Officer William Lilliston.

According to records released Monday from an internal police investigation, when the doctor explained he was going to a delivery, the officer allegedly asked if he was delivering a pizza and later said, "If you're a doctor, I'm Mickey Mouse or Joe Blow."

[Thinkin' Gal]

A police officer who stopped a doctor for speeding on his way to deliver a baby, and then took him to the maternity ward in handcuffs, has agreed to an unpaid suspension for lack of judgment.

In Florida? How can this be? He was merely following the letter of the law without mercy.

[AntiGuv]

Joe Blow? Is that you?

[northernlightsII]

Wow Florida's finest seem to not be so fine.

[nathanbedford]

Ft. Lauderdale is a tourist destination. Residents turn over more often than the tide. If you are there long enough to use a laundromat, you qualify as a native. The entire area is really a suburb of New York city and has adopted the mother city's arrogance, rudeness and, not surprisingly, its leftist mentality.

In this atmosphere it raises small wonder that the cops have become rude to the point of belligerence. They are dealing with a Berkeley like civil administration. They general attitude is to fine tourists for revenue whenever possible. The police are undercut and expoloited. Broward county cops have been nearly ruined by Sheriff Navarro years ago.

Finally, (after the rant) we as a society ought to consider whether it is healthy to squander the assets of our police on traffic offenses and school crossing. We ought to consider the German model where the cops are seldom seen and speeders are simply photographed and receive a summons in the mail. In practice, it is a better system.

[Nov3]

The cop is worthless

[ikka]

The doctor should sue the cop with a Bivens claim.

[iconoclast]

To protect and serve bully and intimidate.

[Critter]

Finally, (after the rant) we as a society ought to consider whether it is healthy to squander the assets of our police on traffic offenses and school crossing. We ought to consider the German model where the cops are seldom seen and speeders are simply photographed and receive a summons in the mail. In practice, it is a better system.

How about yes to the first part and a big NO WAY! to the second part? We don't need no steeenking cops laying in wait for us to make a mistake. And we certainly don't need no steeeenking cameras doing the job.

[Wallace T.]

This buffoon should be sued by both the doctor and the patient for delaying needed medical services. Additional financial consequences for his stupidity would serve him right and make him think twice before trying similar abuse of power.

[BibChr]

...lack of judgment

Among many, many other things.

Dan
Biblical Christianity BLOG

[george wythe]

I'm glad the baby was delivered successfully:

Lilliston called the hospital to confirm Chidiac's story, and drove him to the hospital as the baby's head was showing. The officer then asked to see the doctor's driver's license before letting Chidiac change into scrubs.

Chidiac delivered the baby 15 minutes after the handcuffs were removed.

I think that handcuffing a doctor who uses his hand to save lives is inappropriate. The officer does not know when he might need this doctor's hands to help deliver his child or grandchild.

[tioga]

No doctor needs to speed on the way to the hospital. Heck, it's illegal for an ambulance to speed. Laws are laws. That being said, common sense would seem to be lacking in the officer's enforcement of the law. RME, what an idiot. Any judge would let him off the hook, so why bother trying to arrest him? Handcuffs are just overkill.

[monday]

I believe a suitable punishment would be 'no medical care for Officer William Lilliston' during the next 20 years. That way, if he needs medical treatment, he will know what it is like to have to wait for it like he made that unfortunate mother wait.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

If you're a doctor, I'm Mickey Mouse or Joe Blow."

In all fairness, cops probably do hear the most absurd excuses.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Residents turn over more often than the tide

why's that? Is it a bad area to live?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

How does an idiot like this actually get a job on a police force? The doc was going THIRTY FIVE MILES AN HOUR on a motorcycle . . . it wasn't like he was hitting a buck fifty in a Ferrari! And the chump cuffs him for it, and gives him lip, too?

[mewzilla]

[Conspiracy Guy]

Stupid is as stupid does.