Observers required in Tampa police copters

The chief's decision comes during an air service investigation in the wake of Officer Lois Marrero's slaying.

By AMY HERDY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 29, 2001

TAMPA -- In a change of policy, Tampa police pilots on duty may no longer fly without an observer in the aircraft, officials said.

The new directive comes during an ongoing internal affairs investigation concerning the actions of members of the Tampa Police Department's air service last month, when Officer Lois Marrero was killed by a fleeing bank robber.

As Tampa police pilot J.T. Martin flew alone above the area, he spotted Marrero running and watched her fall to the ground, yet he did not see the robber.

Now officials at TPD are investigating why Martin was not accompanied by a trained observer on duty that morning. Instead, the observer attended a birthday lunch at Malio's with the chief pilot, a flight supervisor and the community service officer who took the call.

Capt. Sam Jones, who oversees the aviation unit, said the change in policy, which came about last week, was a verbal directive from Chief Bennie Holder.

He said it did not arise from safety concerns.

"The chief executive officer, in his infinite wisdom, realizing that we flew sometimes with and without, decided a good practice would be to have observers on all flights," Jones said.

"It's just common sense and a result of management review."

Lois Marrero's mother, Maria, said she wished Holder had examined the policy sooner.

"I cannot help but wonder if Lois would still be here if that observer had been up there," Mrs. Marrero said.

Jones said TPD's pilots typically fly about 30 hours a week, and that he did not think the new policy of requiring an observer on every flight would affect their availability. The aviation unit might have to hire more personnel to adhere to the new policy, he said.

On July 6, shortly before 11:30 a.m., Marrero was pursuing bank robber Nester DeJesus, who ambushed Marrero and shot her to death. DeJesus later killed himself during a hostage standoff.

A few days after Marrero's death, Martin voiced concerns to a fellow pilot that an observer on board his aircraft might have made a difference that day.

- Amy Herdy can be reached at (813) 226-3386 or herdy@sptimes.com.

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