Class of 15-18 Week #11
Week 11, Motor Vehicle Law/Chapter 90
Officer Paul Grigorenko walked the class through the various details of Chapter 90 and how they pertain to different types of traffic stops. He pointed out that officers have discretion during a traffic stop; they can give a motorist a verbal warning, a written warning, or a civil citation. They can also issue a criminal complaint if a criminal offense was involved in the stop, and they can arrest the driver if the criminal offense is deemed arrestable. He explained the two broad categories of the law: civil motor vehicle infractions, such as speeding; and criminal motor vehicle infractions, such as operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI). The class handout included a copy of a Massachusetts Uniform Citation, and officer Grigorenko explained that an officer has to fill out the form carefully and make sure to check all of the appropriate boxes on the form. Otherwise, the citation can be deemed inadmissable in court. Class broke up into smaller groups and went outside into the parking lot for a demonstration of what is involved in an unknown risk stop and a high-risk stop. Officer Grigorenko emphasized that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. The class was shown a video of a horrific single-car crash that resulted in the car being completely engulfed in flames and caused serious injuries to a passenger. The video was followed by a photo of an even more serious car crash that involved multiple vehicles at Exit 2 on Rt. 130 that resulted in 2 fatalities. This part of the class led to a discussion of the stress that officers have to deal with on a regular basis, and Lt. Josh Bound discussed the establishment of a peer support group that he was instrumental in creating. This was inspired by his personal experience several years ago when he responded to a call about an infant not breathing. He attempted CPR, which was unsuccessful, and the incident haunted him for a long time. By working with a therapist he was able to deal with his feelings of anger and frustration, and he realized that the PD needed to establish a formal protocol for officers who were attempting to deal with the aftermath of traumatic situations.
Mike Miller, President of the Police Academy Alumni (SCPAA), gave a brief presentation about what volunteers typically do during the year in support of the PD, such as helping with traffic control during townwide events, assisting with the Stuff-a-Cruiser event held every July in front of the 2 Stop and Shops, and assisting Sandwich Emergency Management efforts during weather-related disasters (like Winter Storm Skylar).
As is customary, Sgt. Lawrence then asked class members to provide a little feedback about the class--did it meet expectations? What did they get out of it? RESPECT was the word most frequently used: respect for what the officers need to do in order to do their jobs, respect for the knowledge that they need, and respect for the officers themselves. Said Sgt. Lawrence: "And you all thought we were just knuckle-dragging thugs!" Many people lamented that Thursday nights just weren't going to be the same.
Graduation Dinner is Wednesday, June 6th, at the Dan'l Webster Inn.
Officer Paul Grigorenko walked the class through the various details of Chapter 90 and how they pertain to different types of traffic stops. He pointed out that officers have discretion during a traffic stop; they can give a motorist a verbal warning, a written warning, or a civil citation. They can also issue a criminal complaint if a criminal offense was involved in the stop, and they can arrest the driver if the criminal offense is deemed arrestable. He explained the two broad categories of the law: civil motor vehicle infractions, such as speeding; and criminal motor vehicle infractions, such as operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI). The class handout included a copy of a Massachusetts Uniform Citation, and officer Grigorenko explained that an officer has to fill out the form carefully and make sure to check all of the appropriate boxes on the form. Otherwise, the citation can be deemed inadmissable in court. Class broke up into smaller groups and went outside into the parking lot for a demonstration of what is involved in an unknown risk stop and a high-risk stop. Officer Grigorenko emphasized that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. The class was shown a video of a horrific single-car crash that resulted in the car being completely engulfed in flames and caused serious injuries to a passenger. The video was followed by a photo of an even more serious car crash that involved multiple vehicles at Exit 2 on Rt. 130 that resulted in 2 fatalities. This part of the class led to a discussion of the stress that officers have to deal with on a regular basis, and Lt. Josh Bound discussed the establishment of a peer support group that he was instrumental in creating. This was inspired by his personal experience several years ago when he responded to a call about an infant not breathing. He attempted CPR, which was unsuccessful, and the incident haunted him for a long time. By working with a therapist he was able to deal with his feelings of anger and frustration, and he realized that the PD needed to establish a formal protocol for officers who were attempting to deal with the aftermath of traumatic situations.
Mike Miller, President of the Police Academy Alumni (SCPAA), gave a brief presentation about what volunteers typically do during the year in support of the PD, such as helping with traffic control during townwide events, assisting with the Stuff-a-Cruiser event held every July in front of the 2 Stop and Shops, and assisting Sandwich Emergency Management efforts during weather-related disasters (like Winter Storm Skylar).
As is customary, Sgt. Lawrence then asked class members to provide a little feedback about the class--did it meet expectations? What did they get out of it? RESPECT was the word most frequently used: respect for what the officers need to do in order to do their jobs, respect for the knowledge that they need, and respect for the officers themselves. Said Sgt. Lawrence: "And you all thought we were just knuckle-dragging thugs!" Many people lamented that Thursday nights just weren't going to be the same.
Graduation Dinner is Wednesday, June 6th, at the Dan'l Webster Inn.
Contributing Editor, Donna Leiss
Photos courtesy of Pauline Fortin and Bob Nichols
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Sandwich Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (SCPAAA Inc.)
PO Box 753 Sandwich MA 02563 scpaainc@yahoo.com |