below is a letter i prepared regarding an incident that occured this past sunday on our way home from texas. my question is not whether or not do i send it. my question is should i include my name or should i send it anonymously. advantage i see from including my name is that they might take it more seriously. however, i don't doubt the power of the good ol' boy network and wonder if it might negatively impact me later on (i.e. getting out of tickets). opinions? thx.

Quote :

" To: Louisiana State Police/Internal Affairs 7919 Independence Blvd., Suite 2617, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 From: Subject: I-49/Alexandria Road-side Injury To Whom It May Concern: The purpose of this letter is to inform the State Police/Internal Affairs Office of an event that occurred on Sunday, January 9, 2005, at approximately 2:30-3:00 in the afternoon on I-49 Southbound, just south of Alexandria, LA, at approximately exit 80. State Police Officer D. W. Moreau responded to the event. My husband and I were driving on I-49 and at approximately 2:30pm, we saw a man fall on the side of the road. We were concerned that he was injured or perhaps had been hit by a car so we stopped to check on him. We immediately called 911. When we reached the man, he was lying on the shoulder and was having what appeared to be a grandma-type seizure (jerking, loss of awareness, etc). We stayed with the man until the ambulance arrived. During the wait, he had two distinct seizures. He had seizure medicine in his pocket and was apparently just released from the local VA hospital. We did not administer any medications as we are not trained medical professionals and we had called for an ambulance. During the ordeal, we managed to flag down a state policeman – D.W. Moreau. The primary purpose of this letter is to offer our concerns with Mr. Moreau’s behavior as a law enforcement officer. From the time Officer Moreau arrived to the time we left the scene, he had an air of complacency and a noted lack of compassion. The injured man was, judging by the condition of his clothes, probably homeless (perhaps even by the hurricanes as he was trying to return to Lafayette) or poor. The officer did not bend over to speak to the man. Instead, he asked another lady who had stopped and me questions concerning his name, where he was going, etc. I would have expected a law enforcement officer to have some emergency response training and to actually take over in events such as this. It appeared almost as if the officer didn’t want to touch the man. In addition, I was surprised that the officer did not leave his flashing lights on as we were on the shoulder of a major interstate with cars moving at 70+mph only feet from the man. Most concerning to me was the way the officer spoke to the man (once the ambulance arrived). When the EMTs helped him to the ambulance, the officer told the man that walking along the interstate was prohibited. This may be true but we found this to be extremely tactless. This was neither the time nor the place for lectures. The injured man was obviously sick and needed medical attention. The officer also informed us that the man had been drinking. I do not doubt the officer’s training but I nor my husband smelled a drop of alcohol and we were quite close to the man for several minutes while waiting for the ambulance. We asked the EMT and she responded that she also did not note any alcohol on the man’s breath. But my question really is “does it matter?” What was the purpose of the officer’s statement? The gentleman was having seizures and could have been killed had he fallen into traffic. It really does not matter if the man had been drunk. He is a citizen (and a veteran); he deserves respect as any other person does. My husband brought up a very interesting point: if he had been dressed in a suit and tie, would the officer have treated him with more compassion and respect? I do not know the answer but I will say that I hope that I am never in a car accident in or near Alexandria. My hope is that this was an isolated instance for the officer; everyone can have an “off” day. If not, I am greatly concerned with the lack of respect and attitude that he shows towards the very citizens he is paid to serve and protect. I would hope that this is not the behavior that the Louisiana State Police encourages. Regards, "

1/11/2006 1:28:53 PM

It depends on whether you are welcome to a response. They may have more questions and if you are fine with that then I'd say to put your name. If not, send it anonymously.

1/11/2006 1:39:24 PM

"Grand Mal," just FYI.

edit: The seizure, that is. As opposed to "petite mal."

[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 1:40 PM. Reason : clarification]

1/11/2006 1:39:41 PM

ah thanks for that edit.

1/11/2006 1:41:42 PM

you're a law-abiding citizen. i wouldn't worry too much about sending it with your name, unless you or hubby intend to run for public office.

1/11/2006 1:43:42 PM

"grandma" I wouldn't sign my name to that, although it backs up your "no medical training" statement.

I would supply a name and address - aren't you moving (did I see a thread about Philly?)

1/11/2006 1:44:30 PM

No problem. And I highly doubt that any police department is organized enough to "black-list" you. I think you should leave contact info.

1/11/2006 1:45:07 PM

^^not for certain in any way... just looking in advance. don't want any surprises.

FYI Louisiana State Police is really their Highway patrol.

[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 1:46 PM. Reason : er]

1/11/2006 1:45:29 PM

seeing that the incident affected you enough to write the letter, go ahead and sign your name. you're showing that you are a concerned citizen and deserve clarification on the matter. god forbid that person having the seizure was someone you knew and the officer responded in the same manner, would you sign your name then?

also, who are you planning on sending it to? i ask because you may want to send a copy of the letter all the way up the chain of command just in case it's shrugged off at any level.

1/11/2006 1:46:30 PM

well, i was planning on sending it to the Internal Affairs office but I may see if i can cc it to the LSP chief as well or maybe the highway safety commission. on the LSP website, complaints against officers go to internal affairs.

1/11/2006 1:47:57 PM

^good, glad to hear that you've found multiple places to notify regarding this incident. Definitely request some sort of follow up just to make sure that your complaint is being fielded.

1/11/2006 1:51:04 PM

I'd send it and I'd sign my name. With the details you provided in the letter, I am sure that they are going to be able to know who you are anyway, especially if they saw your ID or anything while you were being questioned. It just shows that you care and don't believe you are wrong by signing your name. They will probably want to talk to you about it as well, so if you are comfortable getting in the middle of something like this, then I say go for it. I don't think it will be taken as serious if you don't sign your name. There would be no way for them to follow up on the situation if you sent it anonymously. It would probably go like this:

Supervisor: Did you [insert bad behavior here]?
Moreau: No sir.
Supervisor: Ok, well I got a letter saying you did, but I am going to trust you. Carry on.

1/11/2006 1:52:57 PM

I agree with others, put your name on it (and address so they can respond, although you'll probably get a form letter).

I wouldn't worry about any retaliation though.

I bet nothing is done as a result of this though, except some cops might get a laugh out of it.

1/11/2006 1:54:38 PM

I would send it, and sign it.

1/11/2006 1:57:38 PM

most likely nothing will come as a result from the letter unless there have been previous incidents with the officer and/or other citizens have or will send similar letters of concern regarding that officer

for all you know this officer might have a history of smiliar behavior and your letter might just be the straw that breaks the camels back

1/11/2006 2:06:21 PM

Quote :

"most likely nothing will come as a result from the letter unless there have been previous incidents with the officer and/or other citizens have or will send similar letters of concern regarding that officer for all you know this officer might have a history of smiliar behavior and your letter might just be the straw that breaks the camels back"

why on earth do you think she's writing it? karma?

1/11/2006 2:13:17 PM

haha I chuckled at grandma seizure.

1/11/2006 2:24:22 PM

^^that was more in response to this:

Quote :

"I bet nothing is done as a result of this though, except some cops might get a laugh out of it."

put things in context... i shouldn't have to use quotes for things two posts above mine

1/11/2006 2:35:58 PM

I think the biggest thing here is to make sure this gets to the right people, and these people are pressured to say or do something about it. I would send copies to both the chief of the highway patrol and the internal affairs. If you really want something to happen, you should make phone calls in a couple weeks to follow up.

What you want to avoid here is somebody low in the chain of command reading this thing and sending you a form letter.

1/11/2006 3:04:11 PM

I would sign it, but kill the second to last paragraph.

1/11/2006 3:29:18 PM

^ Agreed.

1/11/2006 3:48:17 PM

gg, helping the guy out. Regardless of what happened, you probably saved that man's life.

I'd sign and address it just to see if you get a response.

1/11/2006 3:49:10 PM

You'd be amazed what a letter of complaint can do. My guess is that at the very least, the officer will get a warning. I also second that you take out "grandma-type seizure" and the next to last paragraph.

1/11/2006 4:02:12 PM

^she already took it out and replaced it with the proper name, "grand mal"

1/11/2006 4:41:48 PM

what was the cop supposed to do? i mean so he didn't act like it was his best friend... who cares? He probably sees far worse on a daily basis. Also, he probably didn't have any more medical training than you do, (other than maybe CPR, etc)... the only thing i can think of he might have done wrong was turning off his lights.

and should he ignore the fact that the guy was breaking the law by walking on the interstate?

1/11/2006 4:55:29 PM

Yea, if you expect this to have an impact, I'd leave some contact info.

1/11/2006 5:02:12 PM

Send it and sign your name

OR

Don't sign your name and send it to the op/ed section of the newspaper nearest Alexandria.

I agree with you whole heartedly on this situation --- I appreciate the fact that you stopped and also that you care enough to write a well thought out and written letter.

1/11/2006 5:34:00 PM

or do both

def sign it


its good to know there are people like you who will stop to help

1/11/2006 5:40:48 PM

thx for all the comments. i'll probably send it in signed. as far as the comment on what the cop was supposed to do (few above)... it was his general attitude. he was no more interested in helping that man than helping a fly. and helping people is what he is paid to do. he showed zero respect and wouldn't even speak to the guy except to lecture. sure he broke the law but i hardly think lecturing someone while he is having a seizure is what his superiors would want him to do. disagree all you want but both my husband and i have the opinion that he was in the wrong as well as the other lady that stopped (we discussed it before leaving) and i saw the emt raise her brow a few times too. whatever, not going to argue... everyone has their opinion. [/argue]

[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 5:48 PM. Reason : k, time to go home. ]

1/11/2006 5:44:22 PM

send a copy to your state senator of choice and/or representative for your district



they might get more accomplished than his chain of command

another interesting point about the alcohol allegation the cop made a lot of people who are in diabetic ketoacidosis are written off as being drunk and passed out............the ketones smell a lot like alcholol


in that case...........prejudice is deadly

[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 5:50 PM. Reason : ...]

1/11/2006 5:49:09 PM

Definitely sign it. His superior probably won't read him the name on the letter anyway.

1/11/2006 6:05:12 PM

put your name on it, anonymous letters/emails/voice mails get deleted by anyone in a position of authority


however, you could simplify your letter by changing it to read:

dear moron in charge, you cops are insensitive asshole retards and i fear for my life that people from the bottom of the potential barrel are given guns and authority.

thx.

but that's just what i would do

1/11/2006 6:12:04 PM

Absolutely include your name in it. I would really hope that it wouldn't affect you.

1/11/2006 8:04:47 PM

Quote :

"grandma"

haha.

[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 8:10 PM. Reason : .]

1/11/2006 8:09:42 PM

i honestly think you are blowing it up into a big deal when it shouldn't be. that cop probably deals with situations like that far more often that you do, so of course he would be a little more emotionally detached. (they have to be)

1/11/2006 8:10:35 PM

^there's a difference bt being emotionally detached and being passive though, i think that's what it sounds like her beef was.

sign and send



[Edited on January 11, 2006 at 8:14 PM. Reason : .]

1/11/2006 8:12:07 PM

i wasn't there, so i can't possibly know what happened.

however, i see no legitimate harm in sending this signed.

1/11/2006 8:13:59 PM

I think you should sign it and send it

1/11/2006 8:35:14 PM

keep in mind we are just hearing it from Queti's perspective.

1/11/2006 8:40:08 PM

you dont live in that city or state, so i wouldnt worry about it

sign it and put your contact information - so if they do do something about it they can contact you if they need any more information

1/11/2006 8:56:32 PM

You're a citizen, you're allowed to voice your concerns. I'd sign it

1/11/2006 10:21:34 PM

Send it to the news folk. You'll get a reaction out of them for sure.

1/11/2006 10:25:24 PM

Nice work stopping to help.

On a side note, since some folks in my family are in law enforcement, I was shocked when I had a similar incident. I was running at a local lake when I heard a bunch of screaming, and it turned out that a guy had been throwing sticks in the lake for his dog to chase, and unfortunately in a freak accident the dog had been impaled in the abdomen by something submerged. It was most likely a tree branch since there are a lot of downed trees in the lake there. The dog was VERY seriously injured and very large, so I ran to get a blanket so we could move the dog up into the guys truck. I honestly didn't think the dog would survive, but it seemed the best thing to do. Meanwhile, a crowd of useless people gathered, and one of them called the police. The cop arrived just as we got the dog on the blanket to lift into the truck. He did not offer to help in any way. Rather, as we were trying to get this dying dog into the truck, he lectured the poor guy, who was sobbing in agony, about the leash law and no swimming in the lake. At this point I'm covered in dog blood and very sweaty, and as soon as the guy with the dog was in the cab and out of ear shot I said something to the effect of "That guy's dog is dead. I don't think there was much point in being nasty to him about a leash law." Unlike your situation, there was really no reason for the police to be there in this case. But if he couldn't help, he should at least of kept his mouth shut. The lack of compassion was pretty amazing in both cases.

1/11/2006 11:00:09 PM

There are way too many possibilities, the cop may have even known the guy and this happens every week

1/11/2006 11:23:02 PM

^^that's nice of you to help...most people could careless about someone else's pet.

^if the man has seizures on the side of the road every week, there is need for more compassion and a need for someone to help the man

Queti is right he is paid to protect and serve and he did neither, especially since he didn't even turn his lights on when there were four people on the side of a busy highway. THAT IS JUST COMMON FUCKING COURTEOUSY(sp?)

1/11/2006 11:59:11 PM

There must have been a reason for not swimming in the lake.

Guess the dog owner found out why.

1/12/2006 12:03:41 AM

Rather than sending to LSP or to the press, I recommend sending to a legislator.

1/12/2006 12:22:26 AM

Quote :

"if the man has seizures on the side of the road every week"

did you consider the possibility that i meant he was faking it

1/12/2006 12:47:42 AM

Not only would I send it to the police, but I would also send it to any and all local and national news agencies. They'll eat it up.

1/12/2006 1:09:58 AM

Quote :

"My husband brought up a very interesting point: if he had been dressed in a suit and tie, would the officer have treated him with more compassion and respect? I do not know the answer but I will say that I hope that I am never in a car accident in or near Alexandria. "

yep, kill this paragraph

1/12/2006 2:43:35 AM