Officer’s Actions Fall Within Police Protocol

Editor,

While on patrol that fateful Saturday night two years ago, Officer Jon Coutchie received a radio report that another officer had observed a vehicle racing through our crowded streets in a reckless manner at high speed.

Such drivers are often under the influence of alcohol, drugs or some inner demon that makes them a danger to themselves and others. Police pursuit of recklessly operated vehicles is not what causes people to drive recklessly.
Officers consistently deal with persons who are under the influence of drugs and or alcohol, or who lack maturity, are mentally unstable, or are just plain careless. These individuals are often involved in serious traffic collisions that cost us not only monetarily, but they leave behind victims with permanent injuries and grieving families who have lost loved ones. Without law enforcement intervention, the streets would increasingly be a much more dangerous place to drive. This is not just an opinion, this is a fact.
It is both the responsibility and burden of law enforcement to try to intervene and stop these drivers before they hurt someone. Whether or not to give chase, or even to speed to catch the individual is always a carefully weighed-out decision. State law authorizes law enforcement to exceed speed limits in order to apprehend violators. That being said, it is not a law that we take lightly.

When officers are responding to certain emergency calls or are engaged in a pursuit, they activate emergency lighting/siren. However, officers do not always activate emergency lighting/siren every time they attempt to overtake a traffic violator. Most motorists have witnessed police units driving after and eventually pulling behind a car, activating the red/blue lights and pulling the person over. When the officer anticipates some type of danger, they are authorized to activate their lighting/siren. If Jon did not in fact activate his lighting/siren, one can speculate he did not anticipate the civilian driver turning in front of him.

To ensure a proper analysis of all of the factors and to eliminate bias and undue mental hardship of LBPD personnel, the California Highway Patrol independently investigated the accident. The department was immediately removed from that investigation which took more than a year to complete.

Friends of the civilian driver involved in this tragedy have condemned Jon Coutchie’s actions that night, as is their privilege guaranteed under the constitution of this country. Speaking on behalf of the Laguna Beach Police and Fire Management Association, however, I strongly disagree with their assessment.

Jon was an exceptional individual who placed himself in harm’s way both as a member of the military and as a law enforcement officer for many years. He was a protector of the constitutional guarantees we enjoy in this country. It is disappointing and saddening to read about people attacking Jon’s character and his loyalty to not only this community, but our country. The members of this fine department suffered a great loss and continue to grieve. Jon consistently placed himself in dangerous situations to protect the innocent. It is what men like Jon do. I personally consider Jon Coutchie a “hero” and one of the best our country has to offer.

Darin Lenyi

The author is president of the Laguna Beach Police and Fire Management Association.