A quick update on the crazy no chase at all, ever policy in Wellford, South Carolina. After Sheriff Chuck Wright of Spartanburg County and the 7th Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy decided to stand up for the citizens and police of Wellford, Mayor Peake has decided to rescind her no chase policy. However, it is not because she admits she was wrong, as she continues to not understand how her actions and behavior have resulted in embarrassment of her town... it is because it is illegal. Solicitor Gowdy informed Mayor Peake of this and has forwarded the memo she sent to the State Attorney General (which it will be of high interest to law enforcement to see how the AG's opinion looks on this matter).
The Mayor said, "I'm like Joe Wilson." Except there is a major difference. Congressman Wilson said something he believed but admits that it was an improper setting. He issued what I believe was a sincere apology for the venue and has acted appropriately since, in my opinion. Mayor Peake has not issued an apology and became quite offended when questioned about her behavior by Chris Cato of WSPA News 7. She is not sorry, she just has nothing to defend her illegal position.
“They can run, jump, climb trees, tumble, wreck cars, whatever they want to do,“ said Peake, in a very condescending manner, I might add.
Hopefully the good people of Wellford will see the embarrassment this woman has been to their city and vote her out of office.
And to WSPA News 7: Great job breaking this story. I'm sure your intentions were for the story itself (and maybe you were even looking to do good as well), but by bringing attention to this, you have done the citizens of Wellford and the Police Department there a great service. Chris Cato, I thought you were very professional in the face of total unprofessionalism. And yes, you did get blessed a lot! Bless you!
Readers, you can view the full story and watch the new interview at:
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/wellford_mayor_sallie_peake_rescinds_no_chase_policy/27293/
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lets Hope the Arm of the Law is Long
Good morning, blogosphere. I come before you baffled and amazed at something I just watched and read from WSPA News 7 out of Wellford, South Carolina, which is located in Spartanburg County. There, the Mayor has decided that the police officers that serve and protect her city are no longer allowed to chase... not in vehicles... not on foot... not for a misdemeanor... not for a felony... not at all. Take a moment to watch the video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDS-bmf4YQQ
You know, being a police officer, I can understand agencies being restrictive on their vehicle chase policies as car pursuits can be dangerous for innocent people, limiting them to felony only policies (e.g. if a someone kills someone and then runs from the police, we can still chase). Foot chases... well, they aren't much of a danger for anyone other than the suspect and the officer, so I have no issues with liberally pursuing people who flee on foot. However, this woman has totally restricted law enforcements ability to do its job. The Wellford police chief said in this interview that he believes his people can identify the suspect and get a warrant, catching them at a later time. In some cases, this may be the case, but what if it is someone from outside your city or state that has just committed a robbery where someone has been killed? He may go down the road and do the same and kill someone else. In my opinion, not a good idea to let that person get away without doing every thing in your ability to stop them. The Mayor justifies that something like that will never happen in Wellford... what a joke. Bad things happen in small towns just like big cities and you must be PREPARED to deal with it!
Sheriff Chuck Wright of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office (whom I personally have great respect for) has stated that he believes this is illegal, going against an officer's Constitutional oath and he has forwarded the memo to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Kudos to you, Sheriff Wright for standing up for what is right and fighting for these men to be able to do their jobs. He has also stated his office would step up patrols in the Wellford area to apprehend criminals (thank goodness for the poor citizens of Wellford).
People... this is absolutely nuts. I am just glad that I work for a Mayor and a Chief that would allow me to pursue a murderer if the need ever arises. I certainly hope the people of Wellford get this woman out of office as soon as possible so that the Wellford Police Department can do its job.
As Chris Cato says in his interview, "Lets hope the arm of the law is really long, because in Wellford, it has no legs."
The full interview with the Mayor can be seen here and the full article can be read at the same link:
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/mayors_memo_may_handcuff_police_officers/26918/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDS-bmf4YQQ
You know, being a police officer, I can understand agencies being restrictive on their vehicle chase policies as car pursuits can be dangerous for innocent people, limiting them to felony only policies (e.g. if a someone kills someone and then runs from the police, we can still chase). Foot chases... well, they aren't much of a danger for anyone other than the suspect and the officer, so I have no issues with liberally pursuing people who flee on foot. However, this woman has totally restricted law enforcements ability to do its job. The Wellford police chief said in this interview that he believes his people can identify the suspect and get a warrant, catching them at a later time. In some cases, this may be the case, but what if it is someone from outside your city or state that has just committed a robbery where someone has been killed? He may go down the road and do the same and kill someone else. In my opinion, not a good idea to let that person get away without doing every thing in your ability to stop them. The Mayor justifies that something like that will never happen in Wellford... what a joke. Bad things happen in small towns just like big cities and you must be PREPARED to deal with it!
Sheriff Chuck Wright of the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office (whom I personally have great respect for) has stated that he believes this is illegal, going against an officer's Constitutional oath and he has forwarded the memo to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Kudos to you, Sheriff Wright for standing up for what is right and fighting for these men to be able to do their jobs. He has also stated his office would step up patrols in the Wellford area to apprehend criminals (thank goodness for the poor citizens of Wellford).
People... this is absolutely nuts. I am just glad that I work for a Mayor and a Chief that would allow me to pursue a murderer if the need ever arises. I certainly hope the people of Wellford get this woman out of office as soon as possible so that the Wellford Police Department can do its job.
As Chris Cato says in his interview, "Lets hope the arm of the law is really long, because in Wellford, it has no legs."
The full interview with the Mayor can be seen here and the full article can be read at the same link:
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/mayors_memo_may_handcuff_police_officers/26918/
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Hello and Eternal Marriage
Hello everyone!
I must confess that I have tried this blogging thing before with a family blog... did it for a little while... and then stopped. I hope I can keep myself from being distracted and lazy long enough to maintain this so that, if I get any readers, that you will have material to come back too. I won't take much time to introduce myself... or the purpose of this blog, as you can read that on the side bar or, heck, you may even know me fairly well already.
As of recent, my thoughts have really been turned towards the doctrine of eternal marriage and eternal families and how thankful I am for it. This past weekend, a good friend of mine died in a tragic vehicle collision (education for the non-cop masses: no such thing as an "accident"). Also, this past weekend, Lance Corporal John Nash of the South Carolina Highway Patrol was killed in a vehicle collision when, while performing a memorial ride with many other SCHP bikes and patrol cars (all with their blue lights on), a 79-year-old woman turned directly in front of him. I'll save my rant on seniors retaking the driving test for another day though...
As I was sad and contemplative about these incidents this weekend, I began reflecting on my own life. I mean... it is a reality of my job that I may one day be killed in the line of duty (all though unlikely statistically and I hope unlikely all together). In fact, I believe last year alone, 67 officers were killed during "accident" situations (that is not including the 41 killed feloniously). But with all these negatives swirling in my head, I knelt down and prayed. I immediately became so gracious for my wife and my son... for the Church and for the priesthood. I knew in my heart that we can be together forever through the sealing power of the Lord's temples. What a miraculous blessing!
Well, that is all I have for right now. Lance Corp. John Nash, I will not able to attend your funeral this morning because of General Sessions court, my friend, but I know your comrades in the SCHP will carry you with pride and honor. We as a community appreciate your service, but we, your brothers and sisters, will not forget you.
To everyone else, remember this: Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan.
Caleb
I must confess that I have tried this blogging thing before with a family blog... did it for a little while... and then stopped. I hope I can keep myself from being distracted and lazy long enough to maintain this so that, if I get any readers, that you will have material to come back too. I won't take much time to introduce myself... or the purpose of this blog, as you can read that on the side bar or, heck, you may even know me fairly well already.
As of recent, my thoughts have really been turned towards the doctrine of eternal marriage and eternal families and how thankful I am for it. This past weekend, a good friend of mine died in a tragic vehicle collision (education for the non-cop masses: no such thing as an "accident"). Also, this past weekend, Lance Corporal John Nash of the South Carolina Highway Patrol was killed in a vehicle collision when, while performing a memorial ride with many other SCHP bikes and patrol cars (all with their blue lights on), a 79-year-old woman turned directly in front of him. I'll save my rant on seniors retaking the driving test for another day though...
As I was sad and contemplative about these incidents this weekend, I began reflecting on my own life. I mean... it is a reality of my job that I may one day be killed in the line of duty (all though unlikely statistically and I hope unlikely all together). In fact, I believe last year alone, 67 officers were killed during "accident" situations (that is not including the 41 killed feloniously). But with all these negatives swirling in my head, I knelt down and prayed. I immediately became so gracious for my wife and my son... for the Church and for the priesthood. I knew in my heart that we can be together forever through the sealing power of the Lord's temples. What a miraculous blessing!
Well, that is all I have for right now. Lance Corp. John Nash, I will not able to attend your funeral this morning because of General Sessions court, my friend, but I know your comrades in the SCHP will carry you with pride and honor. We as a community appreciate your service, but we, your brothers and sisters, will not forget you.
To everyone else, remember this: Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan.
Caleb
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