CHP Accepts Blame for Leaked Accident-Scene Photos

[bcjack]

California Highway Patrol Accepts Blame for Leaked Accident-Scene Photos




GARRETT THEROLF
Los Angeles Times



California Highway Patrol investigators have concluded that someone within their agency was responsible for the improper release of grisly crash scene photos that landed on hundreds of websites showcasing morbid curiosities.

The leak of the evidence photos has resulted in a $20-million claim filed against the CHP by the family of Nikki Catsouras, 18, of Ladera Ranch.
Catsouras was killed in the October crash. The family said the release of the photos exposed them to numerous e-mails and text messages that taunted the family with pictures of Catsouras' decapitated corpse.

A letter sent this week to the family from the CHP said that "appropriate action has been taken to preclude a similar occurrence in the future."
CHP spokesman Steve Kohler declined to specify what steps were taken, nor would he say who released the photos or why. "This is a legal matter, and we can't comment further," Kohler said.

The family's attorney, Keith Bremer, said the family was relieved to hear the CHP take responsibility for the photos' release. But they would still seek a settlement, he said.

[AspiringToBeChp]

[quote=bcjack;25614]
The family said the release of the photos exposed them to numerous e-mails and text messages that taunted the family with pictures of Catsouras' decapitated corpse.

Man thats sick, how can people do that :noidea:

[bcjack]

Who the hell would be so sick as to send e-mails and text messages like that? Random people or enemies? :sad:

[Mac]

Who the hell would be so sick as to send e-mails and text messages like that? Random people or enemies? :sad:
The typical internet cowards who hide behind the anonymity offered by the 'net. There are way too many people who say things online that would get them knocked on their ass if they said it to somebody face-to-face, so the 'net is their chance to be the tough guy they wish they were in 'real life.'

[14596]

What's sad is we are accepting blame and at the same time, reporting that we are going to deny the law-suit.

[Die Hard Motor]

In my opinion, we should show all those 44 pic's on the 6:00PM news so as MR. and Mrs. Cleaver sit down for dinner, they can get a good look at what is really going on out here. Why pay 9 bucks at some movie house to watch some slasher movie when the real deal is happens every day. Maybe if a parent see's a decapated 16 year old on the news, maybe, just maybe, they may look at their own kid in a different light and step up to be a parent. Why do you think every 15 min seems to be working so well? Reality is the best teacher. geeze, did I go off or what? Guess I am tired of bagg'n and tagg'n kids in fast cars and rocket bikes. Funny how important they are to the parents after they are 44's. OK, I'm done.

[kenny]

Yeah thats pretty sad that people do that. I know in the public safety field you need humor and talk about stuff like that and show photos but on the net thats just bad

[SemiMBA]

The typical internet cowards who hide behind the anonymity offered by the 'net. There are way too many people who say things online that would get them knocked on their ass if they said it to somebody face-to-face, so the 'net is their chance to be the tough guy they wish they were in 'real life.'

Anonymous Internet postings are a myth. There are literally thousands of engineers in the Silicon Valley alone with the necessary skills to easily track an Internet posting or email down to the date, time, location, and computer used within just a few hours (sometimes minutes).

By law, all public agencies have to be given the opportunity to either accept or deny a claim before a plaintiff can file a lawsuit. It is part of the process.

What do you think will happen to the officer and dispatcher involved in this incident? Is this any different that the accident photographs that used to be published in the old CAHP magazine?

[retchp]

What do you think will happen to the officer and dispatcher involved in this incident? Is this any different that the accident photographs that used to be published in the old CAHP magazine?

Yes. It is different in this way. the CHP magazine was sent to uniformed officers. It was a trade publication. Subscriptions were also available. In that event, it was sent to subscribers, who knew what they were getting.

In the case under discussion, I do not know what will or should happen to the idiot who posted the photos on the internet. But I do know that I don't like to open a website and be blasted by a photo of a dead body or a decapitated body etc.. In fact after almost thirty years in LE I go out of my way to avoid such things.

If that were a family member of mine you can bet that I and my attorney would be collecting a LOT of money from the CHP!

[kissyc]

I had the unfortunate luck of viewing those photos because a friend emailed them to me from the web site. Talk about disturbing. I really feel for the family because having to see your loved one in that condition would be something you could never get out of your mind. I can't believe someone, especially an employee of the CHP would send out such sensitive material to the public. I hope they were terminated for their actions. :mad:

[polara]

I have not seen the pictures nor do I want to but,the perpertrator or perpertrators should be identified and relieved of duty.I.E Terminated.Hope this does not get whitewashed like other worse incidences by officers of the CHP

[SB 405]

I have not seen the pictures nor do I want to but,the perpertrator or perpertrators should be identified and relieved of duty.I.E Terminated.Hope this does not get whitewashed like other worse incidences by officers of the CHP

Such as?

[polara]

.1986 Officer Craig Peyer.Woman motorists at the time complained to command staff of inappropriate stops in secluded area.I.E San Diego I-15.No action taken untill above officer murdered 20 year old.Why were the womens chargers not followed up?Possibly the Good Old Boy System?

[dw]

.1986 Officer Craig Peyer.Woman motorists at the time complained to command staff of inappropriate stops in secluded area.I.E San Diego I-15.No action taken untill above officer murdered 20 year old.Why were the womens chargers not followed up?Possibly the Good Old Boy System?

Welcome to the site, I suppose. :tape:

Feel free to say something constructive or go away. I'd provide a formal response to your posts, but methinks it would likely be a waste of time.

[polara]

Mr moderator,I would be very inclined to receive your formal response to my above post.My apologies to you.I viewed above case on A+E today and it made me very emotional.

[Mac]

Polara, I won't offer you any kind of welcome - reluctant or otherwise. If you came here simply to bash the CHP, your days (minutes) are numbered. This site is not intended as, nor will it be used as, a 'wailing wall' for people with an axe to grind. If that's your aim, I suggest you go contribute your sniping comments to the blogs attached to anti-police articles on the news websites or whatever. It will not be tolerated here.

That is all.

[dw]

Mr moderator,I would be very inclined to receive your formal response to my above post.My apologies to you.I viewed above case on A+E today and it made me very emotional.
I have that sinking feeling I get when I simultaneously hijack a thread and respond to someone who is likely to use anything I say to boomerang my point. Polara: You definitely started off here on the wrong foot, but against my better judgment I am giving you the benefit of doubt. That said, here I go.

Your first post suggesting termination of the involved employee(s) is simply not valid. There is an investigation process (the procedures of which are available to the public) which will be used to investigate the incident internally. Any speculation as to the appropriate punishment at this time and with what we know (virtually nothing) is premature to say the least. Terminating an employee is not the only viable option for discipline.

Regarding coverups and Craig Peyer: No doubt Craig Peyer is one of the best and most well known examples of a "Chippie gone wrong." He took an innocent girl's life, ruined the lives of her family and numerous others, and embarrassed our organization for eternity. I imagine you are referring to the City Confidential episode featuring the Peyer story. I have the program recorded and have watched it several times. I have also read a book detailing the incident.

There were allegations of wrongdoing against Peyer in the time leading up to Cara's killing, but a "whitewash?" Give me a break -- you expect anyone to believe the Highway Patrol had a known homicidal officer and not only failed to take action but covered it up? Even with hindsight being 20/20, it is difficult to foresee murder based on allegations of inappropriate detentions and peculiar behavior. While some complaints are justified, many are frivolous and leave the officer to defend his or her actions. Additionally, Peyer made an above average number of contacts, thus increased "feedback" to some extent is expected. Most officers who have done their job for any length of time have been accused in some way of wrongdoing. (Reason #1 why I advocate recording all contacts.) The City Confidential episode used the terms "a few" and "a couple" to describe the complaints against Peyer.

I do not have any knowledge other than what is publicly available and for that reason can not comment on whether I believe the investigation(s) prior to the murder were handled appropriately. While dozens of women stopped by Peyer testified at his trial, only a small percentage made any formal report of his behavior to the department. Again, hindsight.

Our agency has its share of problems. Failing to police our own is not one of them. Believe what you want, but I assure you every citizen's complaint is thoroughly investigated. Some are resolved in favor of the officer, others are not. When they are found to be justified, disciplinary action is taken -- up to and including termination.

The fact that the Highway Patrol -- a supervisor from Peyer's own office -- turned him in as a suspect to the San Diego Police Department, does not support the "whitewash" theory. Further, they searched his vehicle without his knowledge and actively aided in the investigation.

Following his conviction, the family filed a suit against the department. I have not located anything saying that suit went to court or was settled which makes me believe it was dropped.

Cara's murder is the best known CHP blemish. I could speculate why her story is more newsworthy than others, but I will refrain. Yes, there have been other atrocities committed by members of our department, but remember we have had over 18,000 uniformed officers in our 75+ year history. We've had a couple incidents that are without reprieve and it is awful to know that someone such as Peyer could commit his acts in uniform. We must learn from the past and strive to prevent such atrocities in the future.

If you or anyone else has the key to screening out 100% of all psychopaths, I'm sure Sacramento would be glad to listen. Until then we have to deal with reality (which does not involve a coverup).

[bcjack]

Is everything you see in a television show 100% accurate and 100%true? :confused:

[dw]

Is everything you see in a television show 100% accurate and 100%true? :confused:
Was that for me or polara? If it was for me, I'll go with "no." :think:

[bcjack]

dw:

I know better than to be a smart ass with U!!!:lol:

[CHPUSMC]

Is everything you see in a television show 100% accurate and 100%true? :confused:

Just as I was starting to think that "The Real World" was real...:cry:

[SweetTaterPie]

Something else to keep in mind when making snap judgements and broad condemnations of any police agency: police officers are acquired from the mass of the population, that means people like you, Polara. Name a job, any job, that enjoys immunity from chance employment of the mentally warped. If a psychopath slips through extensive law enforcement background testing, especially the rigorous probing of the CHP, it is not a commentary on the professionalism and integrity of the agency. We are no more predisposed to perfection by virtue of our badges, than are the members of the general populous; we are no less maligned and insulted by thoughtless and debasing generalities, than are the members of the general populous. It is as logical for an officer to call all members of the public criminals, as it is to describe all members of a police agency as corrupt. Thinking in a critical manner before speaking/writing is beneficial to all; the converse is proportionally detrimental.

[Mac]

...Thinking in a critical manner before speaking/writing is beneficial to all; the converse is proportionally detrimental.
If I didn't like my current sig so well, I'd steal that line for it! :D

[Onthejob]

Thinking in a critical manner before speaking/writing is beneficial to all; the converse is proportionally detrimental.

Wow! What a profound statement eloquently stated.

[countersteer]

We're all still waiting for your rebuttal Mr. Polara... wait...where'd you go?

[SB 405]

Must be having coffee with that Troy character who was here a couple of weeks ago asking about where VIN numbers are located.

[sac_law]

It was my understanding that as a result of that incident, the San Diego area office installed gps systems in the patrol vehicles. Correct me if I'm incorrect.

[RJSMITH]

I think all the cars have gps. I know at West Valley we have had it for a while now.

[AspiringToBeChp]

DW. Do you remember the name of the book with the information on the incident involving Peyer? I would like to check it out. Thanks

[PH3N@M]

Is this what you are looking for? Badge of Betrayal by Lisa Petrillo

[dw]

DW. Do you remember the name of the book with the information on the incident involving Peyer? I would like to check it out. Thanks

Is this what you are looking for? Badge of Betrayal by Lisa PetrilloThat sounds like it.

[cal911gal]

DW

Found this article, which states Mr Knott was awarded $2.7 million in his suit against CHP........

FWIW


Pretty good article though.

[AspiringToBeChp]

Is this what you are looking for? Badge of Betrayal by Lisa Petrillo

Thanks i appreciate it