|
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, shortly
before our 11 a.m. broadcast of Policeabuse.com radio we received a call from a
Hartford, Conn. man. The caller, Keri Laine contacted Policeabuse.com 6 months
ago to report a police misconduct incident. Laine submitted a complaint online
through our website. Wednesday he told us that the police were outside his home
with an arrest warrant. Laine's wife was hysterical. Laine said that he was sure
the police would harm them both.
Laine told us that he was a martial
arts expert and that he was prepared to fight with the police. He also told us
that there were several weapons in his home. Mr. Lane said that he was afraid
the police would shoot him if he exited his house without a news crew present.
Lane remained frustrated and angry with local police about their alleged
mistreatment of his wife during an incident at his home a few months ago.
When Hartford detectives arrived at
Laine's home with an arrest warrant, he refused to come out. Minutes into the
incident, the West Hartford SWAT team arrived and took positions around his
home. Police negotiators tried coaxing Lane out of the house using a bullhorn
and cell phone to communicate with him. Lane refused to exit the home and the
situation continued to escalate as the police fortified their positions and
blocked off the surrounding streets.
Policeabuse.com staff members are
trained in police operations. Several of our senior staff are retired police
officers. The call was routed to our command center where our CEO Kamau took the
call. Kamau stayed on the line with Laine and the police for 2 ½ hours
negotiating. We convinced Laine that if he cooperated, the police would not hurt
him or his wife. We also secured a news crew to convince him that he would be
safe and his arrest would be recorded. In the end, Lane surrendered. Moments
later, the West Hartford SWAT team moved in to make the arrest. Laine was
unharmed; A peaceful resolution to a dangerous situation.
We
want to commend the West Hartford Police Department for their professionalism
and extraordinary commitment to the negotiating process. The police took every
reasonable step to reduce tensions and provide a way out of this crisis. Sgt.
Fallon helped Policeabuse.com secure a news crew when it appeared that the
negotiations were bogging down. He also resisted reacting to insults and
allegations by the suspect during our negotiations.
In
light of the tragic shootings of several police officers this year in similar
situations, no one would have questioned the use of deadly force yesterday.
Nevertheless, it was clear to us from the outset that the police were committed
to resolving this peacefully.
West Hartford police chief
We
have edited much of the audio down to the surrender and the subsequent entry
into the home by the West Hartford police. The officers used compassion, humor
and kindness as their tools once the danger had passed and an arrest had been
made. You can hear the short version here:
Policeabuse.com
Radio
|
