Coral Springs officer under scrutiny in taped arrest may get 80-hour suspension [Sun Sentinel]
By Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The officer,
While the resident's "behavior on scene was uncooperative, Officer Stasnek's actions did not uphold the high standards of professionalism expected of
Pustizzi also ordered her to attend a course in ethics or a course on dealing with difficult people, and a refresher training course in DUI investigations.
But it's not enough, argues the woman's defense attorney,
The police took a "nice lady and threw her in jail for nothing and for that they should be prosecuted and fired," he said Friday. "It's [the punishment is] ridiculous -- 80 hours, [but] at least they did something."
The
Stasnek asked Mait to hand over her driver's license. What she didn't know was that the call was being recorded by
"Did you not see me on the phone?" Mait asked her.
"Did you not see this uniform that I have on?" Stasnek replied. "Don't give me any [expletive] right now. Give your [expletive] driver's license."
Within minutes, Stasnek removed her from the vehicle. Mait said she was pulled, thrown on the ground and kicked.
Stasnek testified that she helped Mait out of the car and placed her under arrest on four charges after Mait began bracing against her and resisting her. Stasnek also denied using any kind of profanity.
In
Catalano argued that it was an atrocious way to treat an older city resident who had committed no crime and was just a driver in need of assistance. He said the two officers lied in their sworn depositions about several things, including the use of the expletive, whether they discussed what charges to file and how they would testify if they were questioned by internal affairs officers.
He said Stasnek was "mad at her because she was trying to talk on the phone while the officer was talking to her. But she [Mait] was doing exactly what the first officer told her to do.
Stasnek could not be reached for comment despite a message left for her at the department.
But her attorney,
"I'm horrified the way Ms. Mait acted at the scene, that was disgusting," he said. "She was extemely uncooperative. I don't care if she's an elderly woman or not, she still has to respect the police. This woman was ignoring her and treating her without repsect. Here's a police officer on the scene trying to help her and she's blowing her off, talking to her
He acknowledges Stasnek was frustrated and used "stronger language to get her attention because she was being ignored. These men and women serve the public and should be treated with respect."
The arrest even made
"It is my conclusion that Officer Stasnek should have used more appropriate techniques to de-escalate the situation,"
"I am appalled," said
He said his mother was "traumatized" and still today fears the police.
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