Read more: Ben Swann
A video has been released of a police officer arresting a Chula Vista firefighter, Jacob Gregoire, who was attempting to help injured victims of a car crash on a California highway.
The unidentified officer, who did not like that a firetruck was parked by the dividing lane, came on the scene just as Gregoire was giving a victim first aid. The officer ordered Gregoire to move the truck, but the firefighter did not follow orders — he thought it was more important to continue giving aid to the injured man.
This angered the officer — he immediately put Gregoire in cuffs. As he was being arrested, Gregoire said, “It’s unbelievable that you guys have to treat us like this. We are on the road trying to help people.”
“We asked you to clear the road and you said no, and you are getting arrested for not moving it,” the officer responded.
Watch the incident unfold on camera:
While the arrest was taking place, a fire department employee said, “This is ridiculous. CHP is arresting our engineer for where he spotted the fire engine. We’re in the middle of patient care with patients on the freeway and we’re trying to protect our scene and they’re putting him in handcuffs at this time and walking him away.”
The Chula Vista Firefighters Union’s president said, ““We are stunned. Our Engineer parked his vehicle consistent with our standards and training. We cannot imagine what possible explanation could be given to justify this conduct by the CHP officer. This removed a valuable fire apparatus and crew out of service for approximately one hour. This occurred at the same time another Fire Engine was moved to San Diego to support their fatality structure Fire. We had two districts without service for over an hour.”
The police department did not attempt to defend the officer’s actions. Instead, they released a statement that said, “This was an isolated incident and not representative of the manner in which our agencies normally work together toward our common goal.”