You make us look bad. Obviously you didn't care for the people you served if this is your attitude toward this guy. I run calls on people that make bad decisions all the time, job security. My job, and your job, is to prevent further injury and start the process of recovery and healing before they get to the hospital. It doesn't matter if they are drunk, stoned, or stupid. We are there to protect lives and save property. The officer's job was to protect this man and the public. He failed.

You might want to retract, at least part of, that statement. Just last Sunday Phragle tried to save Clint Wrights (throttle man for the steady Pumpin SVL race boat) life as he collapsed from a heart attack shortly after exiting his boat after finishing 4th here in Detroit. Unfortunately Clint passed away....... I'm pretty sure if this drunk kid had jumped out of a boat in front of Phragle, I'm sure he would assist.

That I would.

I'm somewhat perplexed by a few of the responses here. There are some that are absolutely certain the officer involved was negligent. Some have even used terms that are somewhat derogatory and offensive when referring to the local law enforcement. I know that this is, by and large, a rebel crowd. But there are some here that are upstanding officers. No need to stoop to name calling.

As for the actions of the officer, think for a few minutes about the possibilities might be. The "choke hold" was a big deal around here a few years ago. People in police custody died (sound familiar?) in the choke hold. But it wasn't a matter of police brutality, it was department policy. So, after a few (quite a few) events, the policy changed. Tasers became a big issue as well a few years ago. People died after being tased. Now, at least in my area, if a suspect gets tased, they take them to the hospital to get checked out before they continue on.

I have no idea whatsoever if anything here is true, or relevant. But it does bear consideration before you condemn the officer. So, what WAS the policy of the department at the time of the incident? Was anything taught to the officers? If the suspect was combative or uncooperative, was the policy to cuff first, PFD after? Was there even a policy in place that was taught? I'm sure this could NEVER happen in the government (insert extreme sarcasm here), but what if someone who knows NOTHING about boating or PFDs, but just happened to be in a high enough position, and that moron made a poor policy? (caution, more sarcasm here) Nahhhhhh, that never happens. Right?

Before you convict and sentence, make sure the guy you're about to fry wasn't doing exactly what he was told and taught to do. Because, while you might prevent this guy from ever doing it again, the department would train his replacement to do the same darn thing. What does that fix?

Again, I have no idea what did or didn't happen, what the policy out there might or might not be. But I worked for the government just a little too long to look only at the individual and not the organization. I also have met a couple people on this board that are officers, and I happen to have great respect for them. Add to that today's anniversary and the memory of all those officers, fire fighters, and other first responders that gave their lives to save others, and I hope we can agree to eliminate the name calling and uninformed condemnation.

[QUOTE=ondtip;4186895]You make us look bad. Obviously you didn't care for the people you served if this is your attitude toward this guy. I run calls on people that make bad decisions all the time, job security. My job, and your job, is to prevent further injury and start the process of recovery and healing before they get to the hospital. It doesn't matter if they are drunk, stoned, or stupid. We are there to protect lives and save property. The officer's job was to protect this man and the public. He failed.[/QUOTE

HE FAILED? If the kid did jump from the boat it is not the officers responsibility to jump in after him. The officers job is to make it home to his family alive. Kid goes in and doesn't come up call the dive team. Sound harsh but it what is taught and trained. Diving into a lake with gear on is not a good idea. If what's been reported is true then good job on the officers part. Like I have said you live with the choices you make.

Hell yes he failed!!! He cuffed someone who was intoxicated, then slipped a pfd over the top of his body incorrectly. It's going to come off just as easy as it slid on. He may as well put nothing on the kid, or tied a anchor to his ankle. ....

the officers job is to make it home to his family alive.
Agreed, but Please. .......he was doing water patrol on loto and dealing with some corn fed college kid. Not exactly south central l.a. here.....

diving into a lake with gear on isn't a good idea agreed. But is that gear bolted onto the officers body or can he remove it given the circumstances? ????? If he saw a 10 year old little girl struggling to swim that day would he say in his report " I noticed the girl gasping but didn't assist because I'm wearing my gear, I instead called xxx beach lifeguards"

But furthermore all that aside if the leo had correctly installed the pfd he could have just circled the boat back and picked up the suspect. .........he'd be there floating like a bobber. That right there IS NOT DEBATABLE! !!!!!!

I'm done here cuz clearly there's divided sides on this one and I don't want to argue with leo because they are always right

This whole story makes my blood boil. The prosecutor is turning a blind eye and not presenting all the evidence. She stated that there was no recklessness? and could not find negligence? Maybe she should look!

You morons can argue all you want that it was kid breaking the law...yes he did as I have done many time and many different ways. When in custody the agency/state is responsible for that person, period. Now it is somehow convenient to leave out evidence. This panned out about like I thought it would at this point.

You will see his family heavily compensated, still all the money in the world wont bring that kid back.

[QUOTE=03 SONIC;4186944]He did fail, Miserbly. How much fukking training do you need to know how to CORRECTLY put on a pfd? If a family was pulled over in a pontoon and a 3yr old had his life jacket on wrong this same officer would have noticed and done something. You are an idiot.

[QUOTE=JRider;4187102]Maybe you or your loved ones can be the next to be killed by one these drunk *******s hopefully its you!!!! Another key board tuff guy calling names because you see it differntly than someone else. If you feel so strongly about LEO why dont you tell one of the water patrol guys what idiots they are next time you see one you chicken ****.

[QUOTE=03 SONIC;4187146]Me or my family has nothing to do with my previous statement, why would you even try to bring them into it? And to wish death upon me...you are really are an idiot. And to answer your question on confronting any LEO, it has been my lawyers advice to avoid them at all costs and not to even speak to them unless absolutely necessary. If you have not noticed, even if it is an officers fault, its still somehow someone elses fault...that is just the way it works. LEO=untouchable