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Question
My boyfriend and I were driving on I-4 when we were pulled over by FHP. After He arrested my boyfriend for DUI the officer immediately called a tow truck to impound the car without giving an option of having someone pick it up. The officer then preceded to be very rude and short with me. When I realized that he was going to leave I asked him several times if he was really going to leave me stranded on I-4, where he preceded to get in his vehicle and tell me to move out of the way. I was stranded on I-4 near the John Young Pkwy for over 20 minutes...is this kind of behavior permissible and if not what can I do about it?
Hi Dianne,
I have to say I am sorry. I do not think that you should have been left standing on the side of the road like that or treated like that. Based on what you have said, I think you may have been treated unprofessionally and need to tell someone.
May I suggest that you get the Troopers name, date, time, and a description of what happened and how you were treated and contact the General Headquarters and ask who you talk to file a complaint. The number is 850/617-2301. Or e-mail them and ask at fhp@hsmv.state.fl.us .
Our policy is not to tow a vehicle if someone at the scene can drive it away and not to leave anyone stranded, we would have called a ride for you or provided one for you. Plus we would have stayed with you until a ride showed up, you are not the one that got arrested.
I hope this helps, again I am sorry that you were treated this way.
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Answers by Expert:
Commander Chris Wagoner
Expertise
I have been a police officer for 30+ years and still going! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop?", which is free. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!!
Experience
I am a 26 year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others. Ihave served on Road Patrol, Traffic Homicide, Dive Rescue and other units.
Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management.
Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, an AAS in Criminal Justice Technology from Santa Fe Community College, and a AA from Santa Fe Community College in Criminal Justice Programs.
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