Are the IF Police restrained from protecting us?
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I read this comment left in the Open Mike for City Workers discussion thread, and felt it brought up so many important yet unreported issues that it deserved its own discussion thread. If the writer chooses to register and write more, I can change the authorship to their name.
“Sometimes you have to call the cops but sometimes you have to be the cops.
The IFPD disgraced itself a week ago thanks its arbitrarily enforced pursuit policy. Fortunately, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office and Idaho State Police came to the rescue and stopped a dangerous criminal who could have killed someone when the IFPD refused to do anything.
You may have seen a bit of this on the news. Colby Heaton was on a meth high and driving his car like a maniac. He was reported by numerous citizens driving through town at speeds of over 100 mph. The IFPD tried to stop him but he pulled away and they quit pursuing. Unfortunately Heaton didn’t stop driving like a maniac. For the next two hours he continued driving like this and more complaints kept coming in. Heaton drove by numerous IFPD officers who with great frustration had to watch him drive by. They wanted to stop him but were not being allowed to do so by their supervisors. Several times Heaton swerved at other vehicles, including police vehicles, nearly causing accidents. One police officer got Heaton on radar doing over 100 mph on South Boulevard.
Finally the BCSO and ISP stepped in and saved the day. They purused Heaton and eventually stopped him. The IFPD watched. It was only a miracle that Heaton didn’t kill someone before this.
The reason the IFPD did nothing is a completely unrealistic pursuit policy and its very arbitrary enforcement. Basically to paraphrase the IFPD pursuit policy in Chief Livsey’s words - unless you can tell me that its Paul Ezra Rhodes driving that car you don’t pursue. In other words you have to know the person is extremely violent and dangerous. I understand what he’s trying to achieve as he doesn’t want officers pursuing over trivial matters like no license plates or other minor traffic offenses. And I completely agree. But there comes a point, as was the case with Heaton, where you have to pursue even though the person hasn’t technically done anything violent yet.
The officers on duty knew Heaton needed stopped but due to a decade of utterly arbitrary decisions on pursuits they are scared to death. Adminstrative decisions are made based on who the officer is, not the merits of the pursuit, and on facts found after the pursuit.
Examples:
- An officer pursued over a missing license plate. It ended when the suspect crashed into house rupturing a natural gas line. He was found in policy.
- An officer pursued over a speeder. When the pursuit reached high speeds and was getting dangerous he voluntarily terminated his own pursuit, no one told him to. He was found out of policy and disciplined even though at the time he was the only officer who had ever voluntarily terminated a pursuit. This officer was considered a disruptive officer because he was vocal about things he didn’t like and he was one of the ones who founded the local chapter of Fraternal Order of Police, a semi union. It also led to an department joke at the expense of the adminstration known as the “Ockerman minute.â€
- An officer pursued a car for going the wrong way on a one way street. Several minutes later the pursuit ended in a crash. The administration somehow decided it wasn’t a pursuit even though it lasted minutes and ended in a crash. The reason was because the kid driving confessed to settting Taylorview Junior High right before the pursuit startedand the fire department was able to save the school. The administration didn’t want to discipline the officer who just saved a school. The officer though freely admits in hindsight that it was a pursuit and he was clearly out of policy.
- Todd Briggs had just shot and killed Melissa Garcia. A BCSO officer located Briggs in Idaho Falls and started a pursuit. IFPD officers were not allowed to join in even though this one seemingly was completely within policy as Briggs clearly was a violent and dangerous person.
There are many other examples of equally arbitrary decisions. They have left all the officers and the lower level supervisors confused and scared. The policy as written is clear and easy to understand. The enforcement of it though makes it very confusing. The instructors on our department who teach emergency vehicle operations tell us right in class that you can’t expect consistent enforcement of the policy so if you value your job your just best off not pursuing for any reason.
So if another Colby Heaton happens you better hope the BCSO and ISP are around to save the day again. Or you better hope that an IFPD officer willing to play Russian Roulette with his career is nearby.”
The Melissa Garcia fiasco never felt resolved to me. Anyone else want to comment on this policy? Sure we don’t want high speed chases through our neighborhoods, but I recall a few years ago a bad guy who shot off a cop’s finger tip over on John Adams. That guy turned out to be a real bad dude from Nevada, and they had no idea who it was when they approached. How will the cops know if there’s a ‘Paul Ezra Rhoades’ in the car unless they’re allowed to pursue?
And personally I think the cop cars should have hood-mounted harpoons to help stop idiots who try to get away.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Vote:
0 
0 I have a family friend who sits on some sort of overview committee for the police. In spite of what I see every day (corruption, abuse of power, etc) this man feels the IFPD is doing a great job. Of course, none of his own family members have ever been the target of an IFPD investigation. I was the first target of Paul Ezra Rhodes. Thankfully the BCSO came along and we learned later that they had literally saved my life. When the situation touches you personally, you take on a new perspective. Until that time comes, most people prefer to think that all is well downtown. This article clearly demonstrates (along with the KM and Storer fiascos) that all is NOT well downtown. And the Melissa Garcia thing? Holy cow! That will never be resolved to anyone’s satisfaction as there has been no accountability. I would refer the readers to the grant application to fight domestic violence. The city/county had been well-funded for several years through this grant to provide cell phones, safe houses, etc, none of which ever materialized. No explanation was ever given for what the police had done with the tens of thousands of dollars they received. It disappeared down the rabbit hole.
I would ask the author of this article what he thinks we should do as citizens. You have presented us an obvious problem. What are the suggested solutions? I vote we fire Livesey.
Vote:
0 0 Insider please explain “I was the first target of Paul Ezra Rhodes”
Wow, scary!
I thought he hurt people at random
Vote:
0 0 Paul is my cousin and I feel real bad for him. He has done some bad things. He had severe mental illness and if was treated properly probaly wouldnt have done the things he did. He is serving several life terms here is his info
MURDER, 1ST DEGREE BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Death
KIDNAPPING, 1ST DEGREE BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Death
ARMED ROBBERY BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Life
RAPE 18 6101 (3) FORCIBLE/OVERCOME BY FORCE OR VIOL BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Life
INFAMOUS CRIME AGAINST NATURE BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Life
MURDER, 2ND DEGREE BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Life
ROBBERY BONNEVILLE 87-4-547 Life
I remember him when he wasnt nuts and was the coolest person. He wasnt always a murding crazy guy.
Vote:
0 0 I worked graveyards in a convenience store back in those days. On my day off, Paul Ezra Rhoades came in and cased the store. The next night, when I came to work, the BCSO came in and showed me a man’s picture and told me he was casing the store and that if I saw him come in, I was to call them ASAP! Not an hour later, he did come in but the BCSO were right behind him. He wandered around the store for about 20 minutes and then left because the BCSO wouldn’t leave until he did. A little while later, the killings started. On the day he was arrested, his picture was shown on the news and it was the same picture they had shown me that night. If the BCSO hadn’t been there, I have no doubt I would be dead and would have been his first victim. There may have been others whom he cased but did not kill too, but I have never heard of anyone. That experience has had a profound effect on my life and he doesn’t even know it because nothing happened.
I read Post #4. There has been an estimate that something like 70% of the inmates have some form of mental illness.
Sorry this thread changed directions. Let’s get back on topic.
Vote:
0 0 The problem is not just the pursuit policy. It is confusing. It is also used as a tool to go after officers that are not considered good company men. The above examples prove that.
The issue was originally brought up because various departments across the nation were getting sued for inappropriate pursuits. IFPD instituted one of the strictist policies in the nation to prevent litigation. Unfortunately, it leaves the department open for litigation for failing to pursue as well. Such litigation as also been used successfully against departments, and with just cause.
Police use lights, sirens, and specialized training to allow them to pursue people for various activities. Most police officers are carefully screened when hired to make sure they have the ability to use good judgement when involved in high speed pursuits. The incident were the officer pulled off a pursuit because he made a judgement call that it was too dangerous proves the point.
But there are other policies that also need to be looked at as well. For instance, officers cannot respond with lights and sirens to domestic violence cases unless a weapon is involved. Most of the time that information is not clearly communicated to dispatch. Also, a man using his fists against a women is not considered dangerous enough to warrant a rapid police response. That’s scary.
Many policies at the IFPD have nothing to do with public safety, and everything to do with protecting the department form litigation. Sometimes the two clash. Public safety needs to be the first criteria considered, not litigation, when making policy.
Unfortunately, Livsey is surrounded by brown nosers who don’t challenge him on policy.He tells them what the policy is and there is no room for debate, or civil discourse. “My way or the highway” rules decision making, and public safety gets sacraficed for concerns about litigation. There has to be a happy medium, but at the IFPD that won’t happen.
Just for anyone’s information, the pursuit policy was reviewed by a nationally recognized expert who said it was one of the worst he ahd ever seen.
Lastly, people in IF are coming to realize the no pursuit policy exists. When the criminals become aware of it, they are more apt to take off from the police and be roaming the streets.
Vote:
0 0 I just have to bring up a point that not many people think about when discussing police pursuits and policies that affect them… Police Administrators all over the nation are very concerned (and righfully so) that if their Officers pursue a suspect — and a crash takes place — resulting in death or serious injury the city, county, state and even the officers can be sued — everyone knows that. So — we have many Police administrators who are very nervous about this issue — and just play it “safe” by stopping all but a few of the most criticle pursuits (violent or potentially dangerous suspects who are fleeing) The other side of this issue that rarely is considered — and sounds like it could have become an issue in the case of Colby Heaton is the civil liability that can come from a Police Agency/Officer failing to act. Officers have a legal duty to protect society from danger. If a situation takes place in which an officer FAILS TO ACT — or take some type of reasonable action to protect society — they have failed to do there duty and could possibly be liable in that regard. If Colby Heaton had been left unchallenged to drive around town like a maniac — and eventually had run over some child — I am not so sure that the family of that poor child would not have had one hec of a civil cases against the city for Failing to Act. So really — this is one of those situations where potentially they are “damed if they do — and damned if they don’t.” Its a tough issue — that needs good solid — well (and equally) enforced policies that are in line with national standards. I am hopeful that in the near future, new technology will be available to help end these pursuits. we are very close to that. But for now — this is a tough issue. There is absolutely no room for mistakes when it comes to this issue. To hear that the IFPD has no solid — consistantly enforced policy is sad.
Vote:
0 0 I’d like to hear more on how BCSO and ISP stopped this guy. And hasn’t the IFPD ever heard of “stop sticks?” There are ways to stop a nutty driver without adding other speeding cars to the mix.
Vote:
0 0 Davidson has obviously never driven in a police pursuit…. stop sticks are great on a long stretch of road or highway — but if you are chasing a guy down Boulevard between 1st and 17th streets — where ya gona put them? is he going to turn east on 2nd street — or maybe west on 16th? Can he see the sticks ahead and easily make a turn anywhere he wants to? Its not as easy in a city enviornment as it is out on a freeway at freeway speeds with no side streets and limited options. Not saying they CAN”T be used in the city. I am just saying that it is not as easy as most people think — depending on where in the city the pursuit is — and where it may be going
Vote:
0 0 Hey, I’m not a cop, so you’re right, I’ve never driven in a police pursuit. Good call. I’m just saying there are other ways to stop nutty drivers than pursuits. Still would like to hear how BCSO and ISP handled this guy.
Vote:
0 0 Sure makes me think . . . especially since my car was hit over the weekend while parked on the street. My wheel is bent, my tire is blown, my mirror is cracked, pieces of trim are missing from my door. Whomever hit my car left no note or any way to contact them.
Could it be that my car was hit by somebody whom the police could have pursued had this policy not been in place?
Sure makes me wonder . . . in the meantime I’m out the cash personally since I only have liability on my older vehicle.
Vote:
0 0 I bet the guy either pulled over and gave up — or had a minor crash without injury and was caught. And BCSO and ISP were the “heroes” for stopping the guy. But remember — if this guy had hit some family in a mini van head on — and killed them all, BCSO and ISP would be held responsible in the media and the court of public opinion — and the IFPD would have been the “heroes” for not pushing the guy. Luck plays a big part in how these chases turn out. It is a difficult issue that seriously is a damn if you do — damned if you don’t situation.
Vote:
0 0 In the interest of accuracy, the BCSO and ISP did not “save the day” during the Colby Heaton pursuit. These agencies and the IFPD worked together to try to resolve this very frustrating situation. BCSO and IFPD have very simililar policies. I can’t speak for the ISP. All three agencies were involved in the nearly 2 hour “mobile surveilance.” What brought it to an end was the fact that Mr. Heaton finally lost control and spun out while being followed by a BCSO unit. When the BCSO unit pulled up to the Heaton car, Heaton backed into or “rammed” the BCSO unit committing a violent felony (aggrevated battery) allowing the IFPD to fully engage in the pursuit. Units from BCSO, ISP and 2 assigned IFPD cars pursued Mr. Heaton. He drove into a residential area where he missed a turn and drove into a parked car. He was then pinned in from behind by an IFPD car.
Vote:
0 0 and the bottom line — this was another case that was handled without any innocent people being hurt. Reason for a celebration — and praise to our police agencies — all three.
Vote:
0 0 Thanks, ifguy, for the details, which is where the devil always lurks.
Vote:
0 0 Speaking of car chases, here’s one where Montana police chased the guy over the border and an Idaho State Trooper had to use spikes:
Vote:
0 0 That was pretty intense …
Vote:
0 0 I went to HS with Colby Heaton, and let me say from those many years ago it comes as no surprise to hear that he’s ended his adulthood in prison with a conviction for crazy drivin’ under crank.
BCSO/ISHP: where were you in 1987? I coulda warned you then!
Vote:
0 0 It’s kinda crazy and sad the way some of our childhood friends and classmates turn out.
I used to play with Chris Griffiths, serving prison right now for beating his girlfriend’s three-year-old boy to death because the boy had pooped his diaper. He was pretty cranked out from what I heard.
Anyone else shocked at the behaviors of one of their childhood mates?
Vote:
0 0 Whatever happened to Chris Griffiths appeal? I heard the medical expert hired by the state perjured himself on the stand and that an appeal had been filed. Any updates?
Vote:
0 0 Wow what a great video. That’s really close to here.
Vote:
0 0 Joe Vandal said
January 17, 2007
8:47 pm
Comment # 19
This is in regards of the comments about Christopher Griffith
For one if you played with a Mr Christopher Griffith you will know it is Christopher Griffith not Griffiths. Now that is said I dont know were you got your info from but you are dead wrong about him beating his girlfriends son to death because he pooped his diaper!!! Who have you been talking to the Reeses? The family that wanted nothing to do with that boys life until he was dead and the tv cameras were on them??? Well le me fell you in on them. The Reeses would be there everyday (court) that there were cameras. But when Mellisa daughter was testifing and the news crew whent home for the day so did the Reese family. Not the Griffith Family they were there day in and day out no matter what. I have known both th Reese and Griffith Family almost my whole life I can tell you spme things for sure, that the Reese family was out to make a buck. Come on a million dollar law suit that the Reese family filled and lost. What makes you think of that. Or how about the donation money for Tegans funeral that the Rees family only whent to the grave side. Were did that money go to. Trust me the Reese family did not pay for the funeral, so were is that money???
And for Chris Griffith he loved kids even while racing BMX bikes he was always there for the kids. Loved them all, I can also tell you he was not cracked out. As for the Apeal courts go they take many years to go threw before you will hear anything. I know Chris Griffith is inacent and i pray one day he will be set free from a crime he did not do!
Vote:
0 0 You are right, it is Griffith not with an ’s’, I must have been typing faster than my brain was processing that day!
I tried thinking of some times when we played together as kids to prove myself, but I don’t think it matters much. Chris was well known as telling tall tales in school, and around fifth grade there was a big contention among classmates when he bragged that his dad went fishing with Tom Seleck (big on Magnum P.I. back then). Maybe his dad did go fishing with Tom Seleck, I don’t know but most people rolled their eyes at Chris because of his reputation.
Maybe Chris was not doped up when arrested, I’m just saying what I heard totally hearsay from the folks in that old circle of friends who still live in Idaho Falls. I saw Chris at a party about a year or so before that kid’s death and Chris talked openly about using abusing hard drugs at that time.
I don’t know anything about the girl’s family or how they have conducted themselves. Wrongful death lawsuits are quite common and can be legitimate, though, and do not necessarily mean the family is out to make a buck.
Vote:
0 0 This is in regards of comments 19 20 22 and 23
I grew up with the Griffith family Reese family lived around the corner. So yes I do know them very well. I played with his younger sisters and brother. Who cares about Tom Seleck ? He was in 5th Grade?! Even though yes it was true. Who cares? Chris was a great guy who got in trouble in high school. Who didn’t right? So what if he did drugs then that does not mean he was on drugs when Teagan died. Which I to strongly agree that Chris could not and would not do a crime like that. It is not like him. There were many times with him racing BMX whatching kids THE WAY HE WAS AND STILL IS WITH HIS OWN SON! The Reese family is out to make a buck. A millilon dollar law suit to the state? Really then the sas story were they really didnt want anything to do with him untill the cameras were on. I whent to the court house one day and the Reese family was out there badgering the Griffith family and laughing about. Then not even 2 min later the camera crew showed up. (Like they did everyday of court) What do you know the Reese family whent from laughing and joking around and giving the Griffith family hell. To crying and talking about how they just cant bring themselfs to smile any more. Really does that sound like a family in moarning.
I am sorry for getting of course from the main topic. Just someone has to stand up for the innocent. I know Chris WOULD NEVER DO THIS CRIME. I KNOW IT!
Vote:
0 0 Hi Geekery,
Here is a link to the appellate court’s ruling on Griffith’s appeal: http://www.isc.idaho.gov/opinions/cdg.pdf
His conviction was affirmed. The alleged “perjured” testimony of the physics expert was found to be nothing more than an overstatement of his affiliation with Temple University and the appellate court found that such overstatement wouldn’t have led the jury to make its finding; in other words, in the big scheme of things, no real “facts” or even opinions were “perjured” or untrue….the expert had simply prettied up his resume,which, the court found, had no bearing on the jury’s decision.
Moreover, in reply to #22, the fact that Griffith beat Teagen to death because of a diaper was actually established by the testimony of Teagen’s sibling who was present in the home at the time of the beating….it is all in the opinion that I linked to.
What a tragic case for all concerned. Geekery, I can’t imagine how it must have been to read about that case and realize this murderer was someone you knew as a kid………heart breaking to think about.
Vote:
0 0 Katy,
no disrespect, but what do you think they say about 95% of all murderer’s, school rampage shooters, and all those others that “crack” under the pressures of their lives? They say, “he was such a good person” or “he was so quiet and kept to himself”, or “he just loved kids and his family, I would never thought he/she was capable of such a crime”.
Just because you saw the “caring” side of him, doesn’t mean he “couldn’t or didn’t commit this crime. This wasn’t his first run in with the law. Grand theft charges, violation of probation, drug use. It’s obvious this guy wasn’t the squeaky clean person you’re making him out to be. And obviously a jury of his peers thought the same thing.
Vote:
0 0 The BTK serial killer in Kansas was a well respected family man, church leader, and great neighbor. Everyone expressed shock and disbelief when he got arrested saying they know he couldn’t have done those horrible things. Except he confessed.
Point is that the others are right Katy. No one ever believes that someone they know could do something horrible. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
I don’t know enough about this case to make an informed opinion but I have enough faith in law enforcement to think they probably got it right.
Vote:
0 0 It’s a sad and horrible truth that some terrible things are done by people we love and respect. Not every terrible thing is done by obvious scumbags, and even then, most of the time those individuals have people who love and cherish them, too.
A relative of mine did something terrible many years ago to someone that I love. When his (now) adult child found out about it after his dad’s death, he refused to believe it and accused that it was a lie. It’s tragic to be faced with these truths when you want to love and honor someone instead.
I didn’t sit on the jury and couldn’t tell you that I know Chris is guilty. But, he was found guilty in our system (which I agree isn’t perfect) and that’s all I have to go on right now, other than the protestations of innocence from those who cared about him.
Vote:
0 0 Good comment Neme! Actually, GHouse - Anon & Nem all made some very valid points. It’s just our nature not to want to believe that our loved ones are capable of committing such acts and it is a sad story. The best thing you can do now (being a friend of his), is stay in touch with him while he’s in prison. Write him letters of encouragement and let him know that he’s loved and thought of often. When things like this happen it not only affects the victim, but family and friends on both sides. All we can do now is hope he gets the help he needs where he’s at now. Although studies have shown that rehabilitation is not a top priority in the prison system, all one can do now is hope for the best.
Vote:
0 0 Reguarding post #13
IFPD was not allowed to pursuit Colby for whatever reason. BCSO units had been listening to the radio traffic about Colby but were not going to cross over into city limits just to start a pursuit. However it was decided that if Colby came into the county he needed to be stopped.
Colby was seen near 1st and Ammon where a BCSO deputy attempted to stop Colby. Colby refused to stop. At Woodruff and Johnadams Colby spun out and the Deputy and Colby ran head first into each other. Colby was able to back up and turn around going through a parking lot and again south on woodruff. This is when IFPD gave permission for 2 of their units to assist in the pursuit. After the pursuit continued for a time Colby turned east onto Kerny from woodruff. As Colby turned south onto Sykes he again started to slide and loose control. The BCSO deputy again rammed the car on the passenger side forcing it into the rear corner of a parked truck, and then an IFPD car parked behind Colby together ending the pursuit. When Colby was taken into custody he had a syringe sticking out from behind his black driving gloves.
Other information to note was Colby had covered front passenger side window with a blanket and had the sun visor down on the drivers side, effectively making it so that he could not see any traffic at all while he was driving at over 100mph.
Vote:
0 0 That’s a myth regarding officers not being able to cross county lines to pursue a suspect. (as all too often seen on tv) If an officer is already in pursuit of a suspect, they are allowed to cross county lines to continue after the suspect. However, the way the story was told in comment 30, BCSO officers were not in pursuit at that time, only listening on their radio’s.
Thank you for the information though realfacts, very interesting.
Vote:
0 0 Sorry I may not have stated it very clear. BCSO could have crossed city limits at any time. County has jurisdiction anywhere in their county including inside cities that are in their counties.
They chose as a professional courtesy not to step in ; letting IFPD handle the situation as it was contained within the city limits; until Colby drove into the coutny.
Leave Your Comment
Our Community's Comment Guidelines:- Please stay polite and on topic.
- Your email will never be published.
- No profanity or euphemisms for profanity.
- No personal attacks, name-calls, put-downs, or baiting other guests, races, genders, or religions.
- Express opinions, facts, logic, and reasoning; just don’t argue for argument’s sake.
- No commercial links (unless absolutely relevant to the discussion) and no religious proselytizing.
- No religious discussions (for or against). Go to http://religiondebates.blogspot.com for religious discussions.
- Use the "I" word as much as possible to demonstrate responsibility.
- Limit yourself to using one name per thread to demonstrate responsibility.
- If you think a comment is inappropriate, ask Joe to review it.
Vote:
The policy is good it actualy saved lives. If the police chased the guy to hard he would go faster and drive even worse. And that could really cause several deaths. Imagin a guy fleeing and running over people on the sidewalk to evade police persuit. Then he hits a bus full of nuns head on while going high speeds. Police are trained to drive at high rates of speed most civilians are not. I am glad they let him cool off a bit and ended the pursuit. Then caught up with him later.