Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
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 pete jubie on
-
We, as EMT's and Fire Fighters, get enough violence directed at us as is. We look like cops- shields, collar brass, color of uniforms, the vehicles we drive, and so on.
Now police dress up as fire fighters to make an arrest. That is just asking for trouble. There were bystanders- friends, family, and allies- who saw this. The next alarm can go three ways: the way this did, there could be a shooting or other violence, or somebody will stay inside in a real fire.
I say this was and is a real bad idae.
-
Permalink Reply by John Wymore on -
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??
-
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 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 Paul Young on -
Another great suggestion. I am logging off here and start writing that new SOG /SOP concerning this matter. Thanks Chris.
-
Permalink Reply by William Hardy on -
"Lets stop bashing and start creating solutions."
I think this is the smartest post I have seen on this topic!
Thank you!!
FTM-PTB
-
Permalink Reply by Oldman on -
Lets stop bashing and start creating solutions.
Simple solution... AIN"T HAPPENING!
-
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 Tim on -
If the roles were reversed the firefighters would be arrested for impersonating an officer. This should never be allowed, EVER!
-
Permalink Reply by Thomas A. Barrett on -
You need to think that repercussions can come down the road, from incidents like this We as Firefighters and EMS can lose the trust of being Neutral in bad spots. I like thinking outside the box, but where it could harm FF's and EMS down the road. I think it needs to be thought trough more, next time a real Emergency could be happening and next thing you know you have one or more LODD's.
Sign in
Latest Nation Member Activity
Gives a new meaning to "down under".
If the police are aware of a weapon threat, they include armed officers in the response. Our usual tactic in these areas is to ensure we have an escape route - if the fire is in a cul-de-sac (dead end) we reverse the truck in so we can drive out q...
I have seen child pads with a reducer but for a baby birth to 1 (pediatric pads???) I havent seen them yet.
FFN eMail Alerts
© 2009 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief, an Elsevier Public Safety & Go Forward Media, LLC Product - Partners: JEMS Connect - FireRescue - JEMS
• Contact Us: Report an Issue, Inquire About Advertising & Partnerships
This site is intended for use by current and former fire, rescue & EMS professionals. Non emergency service personnel may be subject to review and removal. Using this site inappropriately to spam/advertise or solicit members in any way will result in account termination. Commercial companies may have profiles, but blogs, forums, videos and photos may not be used for self-promotion.
Badges | Contact Firefighter Nation | Privacy | Terms of Service
