| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 2:10 pm |
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Local News 
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Everett police coached not to open fire on vehicles EVERETT — Police officers confront people in vehicles every day. It's a part of the job.Still, when Everett officer Troy Meade pointed his handgun at the driver of a white Chevrolet Corvette in June he was stepping into one of the trickiest places in law enforcement. Experts say it can be hard for police to tell if drivers pose a serious risk; if they are going to use the car to fight or flee. “You got a 5,000-pound bullet,” King County sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart said. “You have to treat it with a lot of respect.” Although it's a common feature on police TV shows and in the movies, nationwide, police are moving away from shooting at vehicles, experts said. Police department policies often prohibit officers from firing into a vehicle except in extreme circumstances. Everett's policy only allows gunfire when lives are at risk. Meade fired eight rounds killing Niles Meservey, 51, who sat behind the wheel of his Corvette. On Monday, Snohomish County prosecutors filed a first-degree manslaughter charge against Meade, a 11-year veteran and a graduate of Everett's own police academy. The officer is accused of recklessly causing Meservey's death after the Stanwood man refused to get out of his car. Meservey was intoxicated, an autopsy found. If convicted, Meade could be sent to prison for more than five years. Meservey's family also has filed a $15 million damage claim against Everett and its taxpayers. When he was the police chief in Boise, Idaho, Don Pierce said shootings involving suspects in cars gave him the most heartburn. Pierce now is the executive director for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. There are so many complicating factors to consider when determining if the officer acted lawfully in those instances, he said. The intent of the driver may not be as clear as someone who is pointing a gun at an officer, Pierce said. A suspect could be attempting to run down an officer or someone else — or simply trying to escape from police. “You have to put yourself into the shoes of the officer. What did he see? What did he feel? Did he fear for his life?” Pierce said. “An officer doesn't have to be right. He does have to be reasonable.” Meade reportedly told another officer who witnessed the shooting that he believed their lives were in danger. That officer later told detectives that he didn't perceive the same threat as Meade. Meade has refused to talk with investigators. On Tuesday, Everett city officials, its elected leaders and the police chief also maintained their silence. They referred all questions to an attorney hired by the city to represent it in the shooting case. “I know that's a canned answer, but that's all I can provide you,” Everett Police Chief Jim Scharf said. City councilmen Arlan Hatloe, Drew Nielsen, Mark Olson and Paul Roberts also declined to discuss the case, as did Mayor Ray Stephanson. City spokeswoman Kate Reardon said city officials were sticking to their written statement on the case. She said it would be unwise to answer questions while there's pending litigation and an Everett officer facing criminal prosecution. Meade graduated from the Everett police department's basic training academy in 1998, said Greg Baxter, the human resources manager for the state Criminal Justice Training Commission. At the time the department ran its own police academy. Now, nearly 300 police agencies around the state use the academy in Burien. In keeping with state policies, Meade has received ongoing training over the years. Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz refused to say whether the department has launched an internal investigation into Meade's actions. The officer is on paid administrative leave and prosecutors have recommended that he remain free on his own recognizance. He's scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 5. Meade was among the Everett officers who went to the Chuckwagon Inn on June 10 to investigate a 911 call about an intoxicated man who was preparing to drive away. He found Meservey in the driver's seat. The man reportedly was belligerent when the officer tried to convince him not to drive. Witnesses said Meservey ignored repeated commands to get out of the car. Meade zapped Meservey twice, for a total of about 11 seconds, with his electronic stun gun. That didn't stop the man from starting up his car and driving into a fence, witnesses said. That's when Meade allegedly said “Time to end this; Enough is enough,” and began shooting into the car, according to court papers. It's unclear if Meservey's Corvette was moving or stuck against a fence when Meade opened fire. Since 2007, law officers in Snohomish County have shot at people in cars seven times. Three have been killed, including Meservey. Prosecutors have ruled all those shootings justified, except for the one involving Meade, and a Lake Stevens shooting from Aug. 6, which remains under investigation. Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com. |
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