Discipline was fitting in reckless car chase

ADVERTISEMENT [Handout] Sheriff Richard Nugent made a point with one question.

Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent's decision to suspend 12 deputies for their roles in an ill-advised high-speed chase sends a strong message that he expects his deputies to follow the guidelines for pursuing lawbreakers. But the message that must be driven home to every deputy is that just like the handguns they wear on their hips, their automobiles are deadly weapons and must be operated with equal discretion and respect for life.

The Dec. 13 incident in which a dozen deputies, under the supervision of a veteran sergeant, chased a stolen car suspect through Spring Hill and Royal Highlands is an embarrassment to an otherwise capable and responsible law enforcement organization.

Multiple deputies topped speeds of 100 mph on busy roads shared by unsuspecting, law-abiding civilians. The unnecessary risk to bystanders' safety cannot be understated. The deputies' determination to capture a stolen car suspect, whose identity was already known, was reckless.

More troubling is that so many trained professionals were involved in this incident and not one apparently had the presence of mind to call it off. That collective demonstration of bad judgment calls into question the temperament of the deputies involved. Such out-of-control behavior also reinforces the negative opinion of some residents who complain there are different rules of the road for law enforcement officers.

Nugent did a good job of illustrating his point to the suspended deputies when he asked them "Is it worth your life or the life of one of your family members to catch some guy who stole a car?" He said each shook their heads "no."

No doubt, residents appreciate the contrition and the punishments. But what they really want to know is that they never have to wonder if road deputies will follow the policy and pursue only suspects who are fleeing a violent crime. That is a reasonable approach that strikes an acceptable balance between law enforcement and public safety.

This time, the deputies were lucky; neither they nor any innocent motorists were injured or killed. The next time, if there is one, there will be no justification for their action, and Nugent should bypass the suspensions on the way to termination proceedings.

[Last modified December 20, 2007, 19:56:24]