CHP to discuss deadly shooting

[SR-25]

The CHP will hold a news conference Tuesday on what happened last Thursday night in Madera County. An officer tried to pull over a suspected drunk driver. There was some kind of struggle and the officer fired his gun.

21-year-old Bryan Rose was killed. Rose's mother tells CBS 47, her son wasn't armed and she doesn't believe officers had to shoot. "I think my son was shot. He was scared and he was in shock. And that's the way his body reacted. That was his only defense was to get in his vehicle and try to get away."

No one from the CHP or the Madera County Sheriff's Department would comment on Monday.

http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0669D26D-A2F6-4632-9F02-243AC0101546

[SB 405]

"And that's the way his body reacted".....:rolleyes:

[Your Mentor]

I read the MIS this morning. Man I hate the media. They immediately give the family air time to paint a completely inaccurate picture of their family member. What about investigative reporting where you seek the facts? The family is sure to sue and I hope the department fights it this time instead of paying out.

[SR-25]

I agree 100% mentor.

[pupdog]

My ex husband is a journalist. A GOOD one. He always wanted to find the facts, ask the questions, but he always had some scummy editor on his back messing up his work. Luckily his integrity has finally paid off...he's now in Washington DC working on a defense department publication, and he's the reporter that all the brass WANT to talk to because he won't screw them!

[SB 405]

Sad thing Mentor is when people read this stuff they start thinking about events such as the Deputy shooting that guy after the Corvette chase. I wouldn't be suprised if the local news stations break out that video when reporting this story. I think the media rules are be the first with the story and let's worry about the facts later.

[RodeoChippie]

The Officer involved is a personal friend and we have worked together many years. I attended the critical incident debriefing yesterday. He shared how the incident happened. Its not even remotely close to what the family says happened, what a surprise:rolleyes: Anyway, its one less turd occupying my valuable airspace.

[Chippysgt]

Former CHP Chief and now Madera County Sheriff John Anderson was on ABC news tonight and said that his investigation concluded that the officer had not done anything wrong.

There would not be as much publicity if the officer had been dragged to death and that was the suspects intent as best I can figure.

Job well done, Sheriff Anderson!!!

[BoySergeant]

Here's a thought for the news... do a story on the traumatic effects an officer placed in a position of using deadly force goes through. Don't forget to interview the officer's friends, family and coworkers to see the far reaching, lingering aftermath.

[Mac]

The media spins stories like that, then wonders why law enforcement personnel are distrustful and reluctant to talk to them at scenes..... :rolleyes:

[bcjack]

First. my best wishes to the Officer, his family, his friends, and all those affected by the trauma of the shooting. Once again though, I must say, I'm glad it was the Officer that came out on the better end of the deal. He goes home to his family, friends, and lives to continue to do his job, and they are not deprived of his love, his company, and his service to his fellow man.

Second, I must opine on the negativity toward the media. One of my primary duties is to serve as our Department's Information Officer, and I have done so since 1988. One of the biggest concerns I have heard from both local and national media is that law enforcement "Will not give them anything" "Time and time again, when a critical incident occurs, law enforcement will tell us NOTHING". I have been trained that if you tell the media NOTHING, they will go SOMEWHERE to get information. That SOMEWHERE is usually ANYONE who will talk to them. While I cannot and will not comment on the specific shooting incident here, if the law enforcement agency(ies) had provided a spokesperson, and had given the media some sort of statement (Real generalities), the media would at least have something. I have regularly seen in law enforcement incidents, including such minor situations as 11-80's (minor in comparison to an officer involved shooting), the media get little or no information, and in some cases, law enforcement personnel have gone out of thier way to NOT give any info. YES, there are bad media people out there, just like there are bad cops, bad firefighters, bad bus drivers, and a segment of "Bad" in every walk of life, but we can't condemn them if we are part of the problem.

I have, on many occasions, gathered up the media at the scene of a traffic collision and, after conferring with the law enforcement officer in charge (Incident Commander) provided the media with a brief statement about the incident. I always stick to the basics, how may cars involved, how many injuries, how many fatalities, what special problems occurred (Jaws of life... haz mat spill) and then close my interview with "Details about the cause of the collision will be provided by...(CHP, Police...) and I leave it at that. That simple sharing of duties allows the officers the space to do their job, and yet gives the media the BASIC information (the blood, guts, and gore) they are looking for. In addition, I have led the media around the scene to get the photos and video they want, while keeping them safe, out of the officer's way, and preserve the privacy of the involved parties.

That is my very humble take on this. Thanks to all of you for your service to all of us .

[Lucky Seven]

I agree with you BCJack.

However, under the public information act, there is a limited amount of information that can be released to the media. The amount of information would become more limited in an on-going criminal investigation. This would be especially true when there is a potential for personnel issues to become involved, (i.e. a shooting where an officer is involved in what appears to be a bad shoot and could end up being fired and prosecuted).

To my knowledge there is no requirement for an agency to provide information to the media, beyond what is mandated in the public records act. Due to the overt spin often placed on an incident, to make it a more sensational story, (read biased and prejudicial reporting against LE) there is a tendency to be wary when contacted by the media.

[cal911gal]

Hmm so many posts to comment on:

BCJack: A Media officer was present as part of the shooting investigation team, and the media was allowed in to the scene of the tc/shooting following the investigation, as pictures were all over the news last night. A press release was done immediately as well. So I don't think the media was left out, they were given what we could give them without compromising the investigation.

RodeoChippie: I too know this officer, though I can't say he's a close personal friend. One of the finest, kindest people I have ever had the honor of working with, and I thank God that he is ok. I hope that over the long term he, and his family, get through this okay......all the media attention (which is to be expected) cannot possibly make this any easier.

As to the deceased: I'm sorry that someone's parents lost their child. However, in spite of the fact this person had a "clean record" he showed (what seems to be the norm now) a total lack of respect for authority, almost took another life, and lost his in the process. I'm sorry, but if I had done the same, I would expect to find myself in the same position.

I've not spoken to the officer involved, a few of my folks have. I'm comforted to know that, in general, he's going to be ok. My folks working that night are ok. We all survived to see another day without adding another name to the fountain.

For that, I am grateful.

Please, all of you, be safe out there.


One more thing, as to the comment by BoySergeant - I doubt that you'll ever see a story on the impact an incident like this places on the involved employees or their families. That right there is another indicator of the lack of respect for what we do. I've been involved in numerous high profile incidents like this, including the deaths of four of our officers, the last being Earl. Not one time, ever, has the media ever chosen to document or profile the CISD process, what it's like, how it helps, or how it can help prevent lingering PTSD and other detrimental effects. It's not only cops who get the short stick here, it's any rescue or first responder personnel who go to a major critical incident, who are faced with lingering effects from what they've seen or done, who are at risk. The general lack of knowledge about how these people can be effected, and how we try desperately to provide intervention before they become impacted for life - the whole thing is ignored by people in general, because, they believe (my assumption here) that we are "trained" to deal with it, or it's just a part of the job, or we are supposed to be tough, etc. Unfortunately, that's actually many departments' take on these things to this day, and it's only in the last few years that the CHP has even gotten on board with the whole CISD thing.......... it'll never go into mainstream consciousness via the common press, because the media, in general, doesn't focus on "feel good" stories, they want dirt and gore.........

End rant.

[Your Mentor]

Thanks cal911gal, very well put and informative. Very thoughtful.

[x MAIT]

I will always remember what I was told by the LA Times when I tried to inform them about errors in their reporting of an incident where a CHP Officer was killed: "We are just interested in getting the story, not necessarily in getting it right."

[bcjack]

I agree with the comments made since my last post...My only point was, in my experience, LE has been reluctant to say ANYTHING to the media, forcing them to seek out someone who will tell the "Something". Most of the time, the "Someone" was not a positive spokesperson for the incident.

In this specific shooting, as I stated, I can't and won't comment as I was not there.

As sad as the whole situation was for the deceased and his family, I agree 100% with you cal911gal, the deceased made a choice, and the Officer did what he was trained to do, and is not another name on the fountain. I only wish the outcome was the same with every good guy vs. bad guy situation.

cal911gal: Please convey my best wishes to the officer, his family, and his friends for a successful recovery from this traumatic incident, and convey my support for him in that, based on what I know of the situation, he did what he was trained to do, and what he had to do.

[cal911gal]

I will always remember what I was told by the LA Times when I tried to inform them about errors in their reporting of an incident where a CHP Officer was killed: "We are just interested in getting the story, not necessarily in getting it right."

That just chaps my hide! I won't say it's "always" the case, but in my personal experience, that seems to be the norm.

[cal911gal]

I agree with the comments made since my last post...My only point was, in my experience, LE has been reluctant to say ANYTHING to the media, forcing them to seek out someone who will tell the "Something". Most of the time, the "Someone" was not a positive spokesperson for the incident.

In this specific shooting, as I stated, I can't and won't comment as I was not there. .

Copy that. Sorry if I came across rather strong (it was, after all oh-dark-thirty and I was sans coffee at the time ;-)


As sad as the whole situation was for the deceased and his family, I agree 100% with you cal911gal, the deceased made a choice, and the Officer did what he was trained to do, and is not another name on the fountain. I only wish the outcome was the same with every good guy vs. bad guy situation.

cal911gal: Please convey my best wishes to the officer, his family, and his friends for a successful recovery from this traumatic incident, and convey my support for him in that, based on what I know of the situation, he did what he was trained to do, and what he had to do.:confused: :confused: :confused: .[/quote]

Amen to both, and I'll pass that on :smile:

[RoadDawg]

Like several on here I know this officer personally, and concur he is a great guy. We were in the Academy together, and worked in the same office together a few years ago. He is a good officer and the type of guy who always treats the public right, so it bothers me to think how the inaccurate media reports may be affecting him or his family. Unfortunately though, many will just say that?s what we get paid for, to deal with these types of things. This whole event was the deuces fault, and I pray the involved officer realizes this. He did what he was trained to do, he went home to his wife and kids? that?s all that matters.