A police chief in a Pennsylvania town is under intense scrutiny after his version of events in a traffic stop involving a motorcyclist doesn’t seem to square with surveillance footage. The guy who was pulled over initially was in a lot of hot water, facing some criminal charges, which have since been dropped. Now the chief is on leave.
Chief Duane Fisher of Manheim Township Police in Pennsylvania was traveling in an unmarked car when he radioed in that he was following a motorcycle without a license plate. He then claimed the rider ran a red light, rode onto a sidewalk, and otherwise behaved recklessly to get away.
After the rider pulled up behind a Wing Stop in a strip mall, the chief pulled up in his unmarked cruiser, held the man at gunpoint, and tried making an arrest. The suspect fought back and ran away, which is why he was hit with some serious criminal charges.
However, once surveillance footage of the incident from the shopping mall was viewed by Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, those charges were dropped, reports Fox43. There are some interesting details in the footage, like the chief not having the lights on his cruiser activated and him not producing badge as he held the motorcyclist at gunpoint.
We can see how the suspect might have thought he was being robbed. After he ran off, the police chief switches on his lights, which is an interesting move.
The rider wasn’t exactly doing everything right. It appears his motorcycle wasn’t registered, his license was suspended, and he might have actually ran a red light. Because of everything that happened with the traffic stop, he might not be facing any consequences.
Is that fair?
This case is interesting because things are entirely clear cut. However, it seems that since the chief didn’t do everything by the book, the rider is off the hook and might even be able to sue the police department.
We’ll see where this goes.
This article originally appeared on The Auto Wire. It is republished with permission.
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The policeman did not show a badge and did not have lights or sirens on his vehicle. If the person on the motorcycle had been a lawfully armed citizen, the citizen would have had every right to use lethal force to defend himself. I am glad that it did not come to that. I believe the policeman needs some training so he can stay alive.
Fire the OVER CAFFINATED Cop!
Do your job according to all proptocol and rules. Don’t get into a power abusing or pissing contest.