Peteck Will Make MCSO Tox Tests Mandatory for Serious Accidents

Colonel Ramsay Fails... to Reply

Actions Speak Louder than Words
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  October 20, 2012

Candidate for Sheriff Tom Peteck will insist that MCSO staff are subjected to toxicology tests if they are involved in an accident resulting in a fatality, or a potential fatality.  Tests are already allowed through current policy, however it appears they are not universally administered.

Colonel Ramsay declined to comment leaving us with only his past performance to go on.
To be clear, there is no doubt that when these types of accidents happen that it is a tragedy for all involved.  Also, a lot is expected of our deputies as they operate their vehicles, and they spend an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel.  The number of hours on the road alone would increase the unfortunate likelihood of them being involved in an accident.  But when these accidents do occur, not only should every effort be made to exonerate the deputy and the department, but being trained law enforcement officers, the public should feel comfortable in knowing that these individuals are held to similar standards that you or I would be.  Even higher, seeing as they are "trained" law enforcement.

It's not unheard of that MCSO staff would operated their vehicles while under the influence and on duty.  At least two such instances exist (See here) and those individuals were never charged with DUI.  Knowing that, MCSO admin should be exceptionally diligent to eliminate the perception that their staff is given preferential treatment.  When these accidents occur, making the existing policy mandatory would go a long way towards reducing the perception of preferential treatment.

Seeing as he chose not to respond to questions, Colonel Ramsay's sentiment regarding this policy can only be determined by his actions when these accidents occur.  One such accident involved Deputy Ward, who rear ended an electric car on Boca Chica bridge.  In the course of their criminal investigation, FHP asked Ward to submit to a test, but Ward refused.  MCSO chose not to implement their policy and did not test Ward either, but according to policy they could have.  Understandably, Ramsay may have been concerned about the department's image, and relied on an external agency to determine the necessity of the tests.  However, while not interested in utilizing existing policy to test Deputy Ward, Ramsay did feel it was important enough to mention that the driver of the electric car was out of his lane.

In a September 1, 2011 article in the Key West Citizen reporter Adam Linhardt wrote:

"A patrol car camera that recorded footage in front of the car just prior to the crash shows the electric car was partially out of its lane and that Ward apparently didn't see it until it was too late, said Col. Rick Ramsay."

and again in a more recent article of December 1, 2011 discussing the ticket dismissal, Linhardt wrote:

"Video from a patrol car camera shows the electric car was partially out of its lane and that Ward apparently didn't see it until it was too late, Sheriff's Col. Rick Ramsay said after the crash."

I obtained the in-car video and could not discern anywhere in the video that the electric car was partially out of it's lane, so I asked Becky Herrin if Col. Ramsay had actually said that.  She replied:

"No, Colonel Ramsay did not say that."

I then asked Adam Linhardt what he based the quotes in the Citizen on and he replied:

"Ramsay made the statement to me in a phone interview for a story that ran in Sept. This story ran and I never heard from anyone about it being inaccurate."  

Note: This is a perfect example of why I prefer to get responses in writing so as to prevent any misinterpretation of people's statements.  But seriously, not that Ramsay suffers from any credibility issues (See here) but he did seem pretty content leaving the public to assume the electric car was out of it's lane until someone actually went through the trouble to verify that it wasn't...oops, then it is the ol' "aw shucks, I never said that."  Not that the Citizen is the most accurate either, but I'd lean toward Linhardt in terms of accuracy at this point.  Ultimately though, why disparage the victim while NOT tox testing your deputy? 

A second and more recent accident of similar nature occurred involving Deputy Zuelch in Key West.  Again, an outside agency, Key West Police Department is handling the investigation, and neither KWPD or MCSO will release any details of the case until the investigation is complete.  However, I asked Becky Herrin for the results of MCSO's toxicology tests of Deputy Zuelch.  Herrin responded:

The investigation into Deputy Zuelch’s accident is being done by the Key West Police Department, not our department. Depending on the outcome of that investigation, we may or may not do an investigation of our own.

I then asked Herrin for an official statement from Colonel Ramsay if he was OK waiting until KWPD was done investigating for MCSO to then administer any toxicology tests.  One wonders how effective tests would be two months after the accident...but I digress.  Again, no reply from the Under Sheriff.

Tom Peteck is right on when he states, "I have no problem making it mandatory for officer's operating a sheriff's vehicle to be tested for drugs or alcohol. I know that waste management has their drivers tested if they are involved in that type of accident."  

It illustrates the Department and the Deputies are willing to take the highest road possible, and be as transparent as possible.  It lets the public know they are willing to submit themselves to the same scrutiny you or I would be subject to regardless of whether or not the outside agency is able to find probable cause in their investigation.

Clearly Colonel Ramsay has the choice whether or not to respond, but his not doing so only leaves us with his past performance to evaluate his sentiment of such critical matters.
___
On deck - What disciplinary action did Colonel Ramsay take against a deputy that bought an iPhone from Lisa Druckemiller and chose not to tell anyone until an AT&T subpoena revealed she had it?  Read about that here on Naked Conch...that is if Ramsay responds to our questions.