Editor,
There is a false narrative being propounded by both City Hall and its critics that would have people in our town choose sides concerning the death of Laguna Beach Police Officer Jon Coutchie.
This entire “debate” is misdirected. Coutchie died in the line of duty, he was killed in action.That makes him worthy to be honored for his service to this community.
As a former lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy JAG, I learned that military and civilian injuries and death result from accidents – including friendly fire. Military law officials investigate to determine truth, but we do not require our military to be perfect to be honored for heroic service to defend our nation.
It should be the same for service and sacrifice by city police we depend on to keep our homes and streets safe. Thus, there can be no implication of dishonor in the Coutchie case, but we honor him best by also honoring the truth and rule of law he died to uphold.
To ensure he did not die in vain, we need to apply whatever can be learned from the accident to better train and supervise our police. As a former U.S. Army Ranger, my guess is Jon Coutchie would agree.
Lamentably, truth and reconciliation were not advanced in recent commentaries by Matt Lawson (“Coutchie Went In Harm’s Way” – Indy, July 31) and LB police officer Darin Lenyi (“Officer’s Actions Within Police Protocol” – Indy, Aug. 21).
Lawson casts blame on the other accident victim for failing to yield the right of way, citing Vehicle Code Section 21801(a). But since Lawson admits we’ll “never know” what really happened, readers need to know Section 21801(b) also required Coutchie to yield if the other driver had acquired the right of way.
If the CHP investigation proved Coutchie had right of way, the district attorney would have brought criminal charges, and the Coutchie family would not have dismissed its lawsuit.
Lenyi argues LBPD “protocols” exempted Coutchie from the posted speed limit and state law requiring use of emergency lights. But both state law (VC 21055(b)) and city law (LB Municipal Code 10.01.050-070) require police to comply with all traffic laws unless qualified for exemption by displaying emergency lights.
It is incumbent on the city manager to confirm if Captain Lenyi is correct in his now publicly stated belief that LBPD departmental operations “protocols” supersede city and state law restricting police exemption from traffic laws. If not, perhaps our new police chief’s promise to improve training should begin with the Police and Fire Department Manager’s Association, which is led by Lenyi.
If Lenyi is correct about the law then in a sense there is nothing we can learn from Coutchie’s death. But if Lenyi is wrong, it raises a troubling question about how younger and less experienced officers on the beat get good training if the more senior managers are not more fully trained.
I think the public deserves to know if Lenyi is right or wrong. I think the city owes us at least that much to honor the memory of Jon Coutchie, and his family.
Howard Hills, Laguna Beach
