The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
New Hampshire Cops Dress as Firefighters to Make Arrest
FirefighterNation.com News
A decision this week by Newport, New Hampshire police to use a fire truck and pose as firefighters to make an arrest of a suspected violent suspect is getting quite a lot of buzz around the country.
"Police officers dressed as firefighters and using a fire truck entered the building and activated the fire alarm to evacuate residents in a safe manner so as not to bring attention to the pending arrest of Miller," Newport Police Chief David Hoyt said in a news release included in the Union Leader story.
On Thursday, the union representing local firefighters responded with grave concern about the incident, saying firefighters and paramedics depend on the public trusting that when they show up, it's to save lives.
"The use of the firefighter and paramedic image in this way is inappropriate, should not be condoned and is not negotiable," David Lang, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire said during a press conference, according to the Union Leader.
A press release from the union posted on Statter911.com stated "Allowing police officers to impersonate fire fighters potentially makes the difficult job of fire fighters even more dangerous because it casts doubt in the publlic's mind of who's responding to a fire or medical emergency."
Long is asking the Commission of Safety and the state's Attorney General to demand that such actions never take place again.
The Union Leader reported that police officers saw the suspect in his apartment window with a small child in his arms as other building residents evacuated in the fake fire alarm. The suspect opened the door for the 'firefighters' (police) who then took him into custody without further incident. Numerous weapons and related materials were found in a subsequent search of the apartment.
Related
Post your thoughts on this incident.
A decision this week by Newport, New Hampshire police to use a fire truck and pose as firefighters to make an arrest of a suspected violent suspect is getting quite a lot of buzz around the country.
"Police officers dressed as firefighters and using a fire truck entered the building and activated the fire alarm to evacuate residents in a safe manner so as not to bring attention to the pending arrest of Miller," Newport Police Chief David Hoyt said in a news release included in the Union Leader story.
On Thursday, the union representing local firefighters responded with grave concern about the incident, saying firefighters and paramedics depend on the public trusting that when they show up, it's to save lives.
"The use of the firefighter and paramedic image in this way is inappropriate, should not be condoned and is not negotiable," David Lang, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire said during a press conference, according to the Union Leader.
A press release from the union posted on Statter911.com stated "Allowing police officers to impersonate fire fighters potentially makes the difficult job of fire fighters even more dangerous because it casts doubt in the publlic's mind of who's responding to a fire or medical emergency."
Long is asking the Commission of Safety and the state's Attorney General to demand that such actions never take place again.
The Union Leader reported that police officers saw the suspect in his apartment window with a small child in his arms as other building residents evacuated in the fake fire alarm. The suspect opened the door for the 'firefighters' (police) who then took him into custody without further incident. Numerous weapons and related materials were found in a subsequent search of the apartment.
Related
- Union Leader: Firefighters hot over police ploy
- Union Leader: Police use firefighter fake out to arrest man
- STATter911.com: Union Press Release (PDF)
- WMUR: Fire Officials Criticize Police For Impersonating Firefighters (w/Video)
- WCAX: Firefighters "Hot" About Disguised Officers
Post your thoughts on this incident.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Don Vuletic on
-
According to firehouse mag, both knew and were present when this went down.
-
Permalink Reply by pete jubie on
-
and if he or he was told/forced to let the gear and truck out, the one who gave the order should be removed.
-
Permalink Reply by John Wymore on
-
Steve you are an IDIOT, by impersonating a fireman, the cops made an arrest a whole lot safer and possibly prevented that little girl from becoming injured or worse yet, killed, not to mention any bystanders or police officers.
If you think these animals "Respect the Uniform" you are absolutely wrong. I work in a rough city and never see this respect from our scumbags, and I don't trust them for one second no matter what uniform I'm wearing; I don't know what PLANET your from but that's the way it works on this one.
I for one am willing to take that risk, if it helps to get these scumbags off the streets. So man up and support your police.
-
-
I for one think it's great, good job getting another scumbag off of the streets!!!!!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Josh Sullivan on
-
Well u gotta love them blue canaries!!!
But as said let the cops carry the guns and left the firefighters fight the fires, they are good friends but I wont trade them jobs. Not only another worry but also going to structure fires with meth labs or drugs, with boobies traps to keep out who they dont want on they proporties!!!!!
Are they going to make bunnker gear with a built in KEVLAR VEST??
-
-
i support the cops- look the other way at times, forget things, and the like. but when the cops put on a ff uniform to carry out their job, that is slightly over the line. what happens to the next time a ff goes into an alarm, knocks on a door that happens to have a fellon behind it?
this just smells of bad idea and safety. the cops get bulletproof vests, what does the ff wear that is bulletproof?
-
Permalink Reply by Steve on
-
There might be a chance this will be thrown out once it gets to the courts, Because as some of you have said the Fire Department has access to people when there is an emergency. The Police have to obtain a search warrent. So maybe they should of thought this one out a little bit better.
I don't know about you guys and gals but this makes me lery of going on calls now, got watch for guns along with the size up and safety checks.
Gezz when is it gonna end .
-
Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
-
No way, you're kidding right? That would never hold up in court. Must be more to this then you're saying or you're just stirring the cop vs FF pot. TCSS
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Bonds on
-
Okay, I have read through most of the replies but I couldn't take anymore after page 8. ENOUGH ALREADY!!! Okay, we agree that the POLICE chief was a bonehead. The FIRE chief was not much better (verging on MUTT). But the question we should be asking ourselves is: "What do we do about this to ensure that my department isn't involved in something like this?"
The answer is: Make a difference in YOUR area.
Bring this subject up at your department. Make it a point for discussion around th kitchen table. Let the administration of your organization see that this matters. Push for SOP/SOG changes to cover this situation. We can all sit here and bash the Newport chief, but wouldn't we be better served for our own benifit if we took steps to keep this from happening where we live. Let someone else's mistakes serve as a lesson on what NOT to do.
As a side note, my chief addressed this issue many years ago. We have policies in place regarding civil unrest, violent subject calls, crime scenes and this has made our department safer. What about yours? Lets stop bashing and start creating solutions.
JMTC
-
Permalink Reply by Angela Lee on
-
This was totally unacceptable and should never have happened. I mean I thought impersonation was illegal. This will cause a lot of heartache for those of us who are actually firefighters and go into situations hoping that the public knows we are there to help not to hurt them.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Young on
-
Another great suggestion. I am logging off here and start writing that new SOG /SOP concerning this matter. Thanks Chris.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
