Florida Cop Feud Is Latest Miami Vice
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Miami police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers appeared to be locked in a feud ever since a trooper pulled over a cop and cuffed the officer for speeding.
The latest incident occurred last weekend when Florida Highway Patrol trooper Joe Sanchez found his car covered in human feces.
“We really think what happened to Trooper Sanchez’s car was just another isolated incident,” said Sgt. Mark Wysocky, spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol. Wysocky said there were no suspects or witnesses.
The reputed tension between the two agencies began last month when Trooper Donna Watts pulled over off-duty Miami police officer Fausto Lopez, who was reportedly speeding over 120 mph in a marked police car, according to Watts’ police report. Lopez was hurrying to his second job and in Miami officers are allowed to take patrol cars home with them.
She pulled her gun and handcuffed Lopez, charging him with reckless driving.
The incident is still under administrative review, however Watts’ action drew fire from Sgt. Javier Ortiz, the vice president of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police.
“If the police video would have shown a regular citizen being stopped for speeding and a gun was put in their face… the public would rule her behavior as excessive force and they would be outraged,” Ortiz said.
Earlier this week, Officer Thomas Vokaty appeared to reciprocate, pulling over a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on a turnpike outside of the city limits, an area that was not within Vokaty’s jurisdiction.
Sources told WTSP-TV that Vokaty said to the trooper something along the lines of: “How does it feel to be pulled over?”
The officer said he wanted to warn the trooper he was speeding, said Interim Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa. But on Thursday Orosa announced Vokaty would face disciplinary action.
Wysocky said he believed the traffic stop was an isolated incident.
“There are certain officers who disagree with what happened, but I don’t believe it’s a feud,” he said. “This is an unfortunate situation for both agencies.”
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More to the story? It doesn’t say what prompted the Trooper to pull her gun. Was the other officer behaving inappropriately / aggressively?
Posted by: Lee | November 11, 2011, 11:17 am 11:17 am
“If the police video would have shown a regular citizen being stopped for speeding and a gun was put in their face… the public would rule her behavior as excessive force and they would be outraged,” Ortiz said.
HAHAHAHAHA actually he did not stop as soon as he should have so he could be considered evading and she should have pulled him out at gun point because that is what would have happened to us ordinary folks. Good for her She did her job…
Posted by: Pat | November 11, 2011, 11:39 am 11:39 am
come on guys you’re suppose to act older than 10. The guy put me and others in danger doing 120mph. Anyone else would be in jail. You are not above the law.
Posted by: carl rove | November 11, 2011, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Finally, a police officer with morals. Congratulations ma’am, you’ve done what every responsible officer should do. Speeding at 120MPH is not ok for anyone, especially someone tasked with fining ordinary citizens for the same violation. I have taken it on myself on several occasions to point it out to officers that they can’t speed, run lights (without sirens on), or drive while on the phone. This generally doesn’t go to well for me, and a lot of yelling usually ensues and threats of arrest or ticketing have been made. Sometimes it takes a comrade to point out ones errors. They should promote the arresting officer.
Posted by: J. Riordan | November 11, 2011, 11:57 am 11:57 am
there is one law in this land, all must obey. why should he get away with it, when i am sure he pulled over people for speeding and did not give them a break. being a law officer, he should have known better. he should get what he desirves, just like us.
Posted by: xavfitz | November 11, 2011, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
She was very professional in her behavior and the gun was drawn until she new if a threat was presence.
Posted by: Bob | November 11, 2011, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
She (Watts) violated the code. She should have just given him a warning … not draw her weapon and handcuff a fellow LEO. Just plain stupid.
Posted by: Jack | November 11, 2011, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
She (Watts) violated the code. She should have just given him a warning … not draw her weapon and handcuff a fellow LEO. Just plain stupid.
Posted by: John | November 11, 2011, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
There should be some DNA in the feces on the patrol car and maybe they might find a match wearing a uniform. The cops pass out enough **** to the rest of us. Now some splashed back on them.
Posted by: Whattheysaid | November 11, 2011, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
120 mph. Whose he trying to kid, we’ve seen plenty of times on shows like “Cops” where someone is driving excessive or didn’t pull over immediatly and they pulled their guns and stuck them in the window when the driver finally stopped. And I’m sure he was an ass. After all, he is a cop.
Posted by: Bryan | November 11, 2011, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
How can anyone be expected to have any respect for the law when the people who’s job it is to uphold the law have no respect for it themsevles.
Posted by: George | November 11, 2011, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
What code?? She did her job! If you’re referring to some police officers getting away with problem behaviors and worse, that needs to change!! It does exist and it disrespects others in that profession that are truly dedicated in their service!
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2011, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
The Feds should step in and arrest the Miami PD people who are causing this.
Take them off A&E First 24
Posted by: Ron | November 11, 2011, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
The cop was going over 100 miles an hour and the chase was like 7 minutes long. She says VERY clearly as she is bringing him to the car “You scared me! I thought it was stolen”
She did exactly what she should have and Miami PD can eat it. 1/2 the force is criminal the other half has no problem serving with criminals.
Posted by: Dragon | November 11, 2011, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Um, HEY, um…
I am in somewhat of a quandary.
I could have sworn when I first came into a Starbucks coffee chain for people that drink coffee and eat everything but donuts that they had there OWN police officers
(in house) and that their disclaimer on every cup of Joe states that they are responsible and bonded in case nice business people and Twitter freaks alike have their laptops stolen, in house. Well…
In any case. I am very happy to hear that local law enforcement agencies are on top of this and the FHP will indeed follow through to recover lost electronic devises. Either way, this is of utmost importance and remember that coffee is also important patrolguys/girls. It is kind of a -make trouble at their coffee spots, get hurt, thing.
As I further digress into this crime on humanity. I have always been lax with my electronic devices at Starbucks and am sorry. I have been trusting the in house police until now. SHOCKED they have simply been a figment of my imagination! Then I rest easy and realize, I am always happy to buy a patrolperson a cup of Starbucks coffee. Everything get’s better after that.
Posted by: johnny | November 11, 2011, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Why would an off duty police officer believe they have the right to break the law with impunity? And why isn’t the FBI involved in investigating the threats made against the State Trooper by police officers? The real questions simply are not being asked.
Posted by: Rev. RJ | November 12, 2011, 10:59 am 10:59 am
This whole feud between FHP and City of Miami Police is gonna turn into a sexist rants. People are going to say Trooper Watts was abusing her power and that she is a woman and that shoe doesn’t know any better. Reality is the City of Miami cop was going fast, very fast – watch the video. He deserved to get pulled over and reprimanded. Although you can hear her being called off from chasing him she did what she knew was ethically correct. PULLED that power hungry cop over!
Posted by: JESSE S. | November 15, 2011, 1:01 am 1:01 am
This is ridiculous we all have tempers, but when people fail to conduct themselfs professionally. It is bad for everyone the people and the police. People like this dont need to be police men and women.
The Trooper Needs to be Retrained and disciplied, The city officer need a ticket and a reminder that he not above traffic LAW.
Posted by: Paul | November 15, 2011, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
It was marked car, he was probably in route to a crime scene for all she knew.
Posted by: marcor | December 13, 2011, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm