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Thursday, June 26, 2014

THE HPD "CRASH CHANNEL, LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE

This posting is not the beginning of the latest police novel or a promo for a new television show. It may be a sad chapter of the latest HPD history to play out as an internal police investigation takes shape.

It will be a lengthy posting so, keep reading.

In the mid to late nineties a unit was established in the LAPD  to combat crime in one of the worst precincts in the City, the Rampart Division. It was called the "CRASH Unit". It evolved into the Los Angeles' Police Departments  worst corruption and frame-up scandal. News reports have revealed a widespread pattern of unjustified arrests, beatings, drug dealing, witness intimidation, illegal shootings, planting of evidence, frame-ups and perjury at the CRASH unit of the Rampart Division of the LAPD.

CRASH is the acronym for the "Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums", an anti-gang program. It was police officers essentially going to any length, legal or not, to make arrests and get gangs off the street. Numerous LAPD officers were actually arrested and sent to prison after it was revealed they planted drugs and set people up for arrest...or worse.

You might be asking yourself what his has to do with HPD? I am not insinuating that any extreme actions like that have occurred in Hartford. Sometime around 2006 or 2007 a group of Hartford Police Officers were able to convince the radio technicians that handled the City's trunked radio system to establish and set up a special talk group that only certain officers could access and talk on, Very few supervisors had access to the channel and it was not monitored in the Dispatch Center. High level administrators were aware of the channel, but apparently did nothing at the time to shut it down.

The channel was called the CRASH Channel by the officer's who had it set up, apparently named after the LAPD Crash Unit  who had a history of operating outside the normal boundaries  and supervision.When the Hartford Officers who had access to the channel wanted to operate "under the radar" they would instruct others with the channel "to go crash". That meant to switch their portable radios over to the crash channel and they could communicate without supervisors or others knowing what they were doing.

On the evening of December 1, 2007, shortly before 7:00PM  a vehicle pursuit  was started by HPD officers in Hartford's southend. the chase quickly got up to high speeds and LT. Brian Foley who was a southend zone Lieutenant at the time, (Now Deputy Chief Foley) immediately ordered the chase to be broken off and for the HPD Officers to stop pursuing the vehicle. According to sources familiar with the chase ,Foley believed the officers involved obeyed his order and the pursuit had ended.

Again, according to sources the order to " go crash" went out over the radio and unbeknownst to Foley and anyone else except the officers involved and using the "CRASH Channel" the pursuit continued at high speeds south into Wethersfield on Ridge Road where an HPD unit attempted to ram the vehicle being pursued but the vehicle did not stop. All of this is in direct violation of the HPD pursuit policy. Again sources that were part of this pursuit  eventually verified these facts through an Internal Investigation.

I have requested that report through the Freedom of Information Act and will post it here as soon as I receive it. The lead vehicle in the pursuit was operated apparently by HPD Officer, now Sergeant Felix Ortiz and apparently Ortiz was also the operator of the cruiser that rammed the vehicle they were ordered by Foley not to pursue while on Ridge Road in Wethersfield.

The vehicle and the chase continued at high speeds south into Wethersfield over Cedar Mountain through Newington Center and eventually up Fenn Road headed toward West Hartford. Again, this pursuit was taking place on the "Crash Channel" and no Hartford supervisor except for Ortiz and those officers following him were aware of what was taking place. Once on Fenn Road the vehicle being chased apparently lost control near West Hill Road. The vehicle apparently crashed into a house and a passenger in the vehicle, a teenaged female, was killed.  The Crash Channel  immediately came to life with orders to "get out of here before anyone realizes who we are" Ortiz and the others did just that. Apparently no first aid was rendered, no one called for Emergency services, they just returned to Hartford. 

At the time I was told that none of this was recorded, but that was untrue and the IAD file reportedly contains all the details as well as audio recordings of the incident. Ortiz was apparently disciplined  after this incident by former Chief Daryl Roberts but there is no indication why criminal charges were not pursued for the death that resulted from the  illegal chase.

You might be asking yourself now why this matters seven years later.

It appears that this past Monday morning , history may have repeated itself. Sergeant Ortiz who was working Sunday night into Monday morning as the Supervisor for the Downtown Detail around the bars was near Club NV on Allyn Street when a motorcycle began revving its engine, quite possibly in an effort to bait a cop to chase him. Ortiz took the bait and the chase was on. According to sources who witnessed the activity said the motorcycle fled at high speed, cutting through downtown lots with Ortiz in hot pursuit. The motorcycle headed towards Pulaski Circle  and the Conlin- Whitehead Highway eventually to head towards 91 north.

At the stop sign from Jewel Street to  Pulaski Circle (by the skating rink), witnesses have stated  that
Ortiz activated his overhead lights and siren and was pursuing the motorcycle at high speed toward the highway, within a short time Ortiz radioed HPD Headquarters  and told the dispatcher that apparently "a citizen" had stopped him and said that there was a bad motorcycle  accident on I-91 North. within seconds , Ortiz was calling for Fire, EMS and an Ambulance for the motorcyclist as if he happened to come across the accident and not because he had continued his pursuit  onto the highway where the motorcycle operator had crashed and died.

How could a "citizen" have witnessed th e accident  and then notified Ortiz back down at Pulaski Circle?  Did they come upon the accident and then back off of 91 and down the Conlin Highway to find Ortiz and advise the officer who just seconds earlier had been in pursuit or was this the second time an Ortiz pursuit had taken a life.

A couple things in this matter will prove interesting. Video is everywhere now. The Attorney General's building at 55 Elm has several cameras recording shots of the street and the area  around Pulaski Circle.  I believe that at least one media outlet has or is in the process of requesting the video through FOI. There are also numerous restaurants  apartment buildings and other places recording 24 hours a day.

There are also Ortiz's fellow police officers who witnessed the events and probably aren't going to jeopardize their careers by lying in something that has the potential to evolve into a criminal investigation.

We all know these motorcycles are a nuisance but is it worth chasing them? In the meantime I will hopefully have the 2007 IAD investigation soon to post here


48 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is no surprise. Felix has been well known for driving like an animal and crashing cruisers his entire career. From off duty West Hartford incidents, crashing through the gate at the PSC, to this.....killing another person for a chase that should've never happened. Then to lie about a fatal MVA that he caused? Time to hang it up Felix and call it a good run before you kill someone else and get locked up. Go do what you excel at and go drive an Indy race car.

Broken gate said...

That gate at the new dept will never get fixed. Plus karma has finally come to pasture. Thats right oritiz. U treat others like crap here, now the shoe is on the other foot. I hope the state police file charges. Was it worth it? A motorcycle, who cares. That is someones family member.

180k said...

Spell used the crash channel too. Probably still does. Bet u dont post this ....

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

why would I not post it? The crash channel no longer exists and I think each district has its own conditions channel that supervisors can monitor

Anonymous said...

The family of the passenger killed in 2007 might have a decent claim for her death. And since officer Ortiz was violating police orders in an essentially illegal chase, the liabilty insurance would not cover him. Actions outside the scope of his employment such as knowingly violating work rules wouldn't be covered and he'd be personally liable.

99 mohegan last said...

Its never your fault felix. Blame the command staff for not giving you a conditions unit years ago. They knew you were and still are a multi million dollar liability to the city . Blame everyone. Its not you at all. Did you ever stop and wonder why all this has happened? Your reckless ways. My family supercedes the blue line and being buckled in to your plane crash policing style . The good news is my last five here will be surrounded by one less idiot like yourself. Enjoy the civil implications and knock at your door by the state police ....

Anonymous said...

So not only does Ortiz keep his job after the 2007 incident, but he was PROMOTED!?! HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN. Your credit score can be a deciding factor in a PD application process, soooo what GENIUS over there decided that manslaughter shouldn't be? It's coming to a point where HPD/City politics are deterring people from coming into Hartford--not the residents or high crime rate...

Anonymous said...

Shame on all of you

Anonymous said...

All of you need to quit your belly aching. Remember that this liberal "coddling" society we live in now condones people to run from the police. I'm not saying Felix was completely justified in what occurred this past weekend, but if you wish him out so quickly, remember it's the Labelle-Boucher style of supervising that is taking over at HPD. Can't wait for more versions of that nightmare with stripes...

Anonymous said...

Kevin,
Why don't you look into the secret channel the shooting task force is using? While your at it, see if you can locate any documentation on all of the car chases they do with unmarked cars while calling them in on their secret channel. I'm sure that won't go far.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

anonymous 6:37 PM

STF is not using a secret channel. They are using a digital channel which they were kind of forced to start using after handheld scanners were being seized during many search warrants The criminals were monitoring the actions of HPD for $200.00 and a radio Shack programming guide, Are they doing improper things on the digital channel, maybe, but i know the STF Lieutenant has the capability to monitor the digital frequencies. Unfortunately if they are doing improper things, we will find out the hard way like we are Doing with Felix Ortiz, but it will be them potentially facing a judge as the Civil jury rules to take away thier homes and pensions for stupidly chasing someone

Anonymous said...

The problem with the dept is that guys with absolutely no command experience take a multiple choice test and can get stripes within five years. Some turn out great, like clark and ball. But others, liked one named in an earlier post could screw up a cup of coffee. More training needs to be done to prep. I would and nine out of ten times would take more direction from a seasoned vet like tine and pepler instead of guys like labelle and kessler. Its kinda sad because we are headed for a massive transition of command staff soon.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 6:30 PM makes a great point, I'd have to agree. However, my stomach has turned and I am not proud to work with any of you rats and cry babies pointing the finger at everybody else. What about this guy doing this, what about this guy doing that, how much is this guy making, how much is that guy making? Worry about yourself, stop concerning yourself with others, it's down right disgusting, all of you. Let Felix go through whatever he's gonna go through and let it play out. Stop throwing fuel on the fire, because as we've all seen, any one of you could very well be next. Karma is a real bitch!

Anonymous said...

To be honest all this will be old new in a few weeks til another cop screws up. All cops care about is who is going to make page 1.

Anonymous said...

First of all, Kevy boy, the stupid motorcyclist was by all accounts driving recklessly. He fled from the police and continued driving recklessly onto the highway. That is no one's fault but his. He made those decisions all by himself and caused his death. No one else. And just a side note. You like to portray yourself as an impartial journalist that is respected by most of the rank and file. You are not. Everyone knows you are in Foley's pocket and are regarded by most of the department as a fat turd. You want us to be honest, right. That is the truth.

Anonymous said...

That's Deputy Chief Pipeline to you! What a joke

Anonymous said...

Rumor is will smith is getting his job back lol!!!! Can't wait for that disaster "city resident" to be walking around with a badge and gun again. Leave Felix alone! We have bigger fish to fry at HPD, such as Paul West and his latest nonsense. All of you bad mouthing Felix should be ashamed. Besides those that are, are definitely not crime fighters.

34,69 said...

No one has even bothered to ask why the rear gate has not been fixed ? It has feelings too ....

....meniacal laugh ... said...

Leave LT. Paul west alone. Soon he will rule this dept. .......

Anonymous said...

Kevin, please please please start asking about Paul West destroying a crime scene after a serious stabbing at the Ranch House a few weeks back!!!!! This joke of a man gets away with comitting outright crimes time and rime again!!! Kevin please use your contacts and inquire about that mess. It puts the rest of us, good officers in a bad light and quite frankly it's disturbing that he is a supervisor.

Anonymous said...

Justice will be served for my brother. He did not have to die this way....

Anonymous said...

Justice was served. Your brother took another life in 1991. Your brother went to jail for that did you forget?

Scoopedbrains said...

Your brother was and still is a coward!

Mike Lowery said...

LOL Will Smith aka Money Mike Lowery damn ya'll still hating on him an he not even there nomore??? Hilarious well guess what anom 8:58 pm Big Willy never killed two people regardless of his shortcomings smh!!!!

New role call room said...

Dont worry. LT Paul West will set all of you straight. No more halfs and fake sick call outs. Changes changes changes !!!

Anonymous said...

will smith is coming back. You cant hold a good brotha down. Phan is also comin back. Both with large sacks of cabbage.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kevin, Were you there???? Did you see the pursuit? Did you see Sergeant Ortiz pursuing said victim? Did any of you who are ridiculing and belittling a good cop, "Sergeant Ortiz", who is trying to do his job! Little I can say for some of these rats who call themselves police officers?!?!?!?!!!Leave him alone and let him ride this out! Have you seen concrete evidence???? Are these all false accusations?!?!?!!!!You can not accuse anyone unless proven guilty!!!! So stop being such a gossiper and stop trying to ruin someone's life and career. Get a life and live yours not everyone else's.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

As with most things the facts and evidence will speak for themselves in the end. the video evidence that has been obtained by CSP in the past week from the Convention Center and other locations should paint an accurate, undisputable picture of what happened. And not all officers are willing to lie, especially the one who was sitting beside you Felix

Anonymous said...

Kevin, please please look into the paul west incident at the Ranch House a month ago. He destroyed a crime scene intentionally, and directly assisted the prime suspect in the stabbing by quickly getting her out of the incident location fast before anyone noticed. This guy commits crimes time and time again and the department rolls over because he plays the same card time and time again!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wrong brother!

Anonymous said...

Self defense........whats one brother has to do with the other?
Definition for coward; they are not trouble maker

Anonymous said...

If you would've did your homework you would've realized this is the wrong brother. Also, he served his time.

Anonymous said...

How you figure that???

Anonymous said...

Listen here c sqaud new guys. LT West will smack five cross your lips. U were not even at the ranch house. Where is your evidence?? Exactly. Go back in your wabbit hole before hunting season ....

Anonymous said...

Scoopedbrains is not so funny when it is one of your own! Your the coward!

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Why do some of you insist on covering for dirty cops? Several people that were there have already spoke with me. The video from the Ranch House clearly showed the suspect slashing the victim across the face. Subsequently she was placed in the back seat of a marked cruiser while the incident was controlled(somewhat)Apparently, from what those there have told me, as Sergeant West arrived on the scene, he realized he knew the suspect and released her from the back seat of the cruiser. I don't believe she was ever arrested even though the video clearly shows her committing a serious assault. It all depends who you know I guess. It is unclear if IAD is looking into this.

Anonymous said...

When is north deputy stuff gonna break. It better be soon brookman. ..... Soon .....

B squad karma said...

Felix really? You walk around the dept like you deserve sympathy or someone to care.. Your reckless ways finally caught up. If i were you, i would put in your papers before that pension is attached by the family members. Get ready for a visit by the state police cause the verified word is that it is a matter of time before a visit.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Anonymous 6:30PM.

You guys can help. I have FOI'D the related documents, but Detective Wiebusch has replied that no documents exist. Anything through "alternative means" would be appreciated

Anonymous said...

Everyone on B squad who complains about Felix is an idiot. He is fair and a good supervisor who never belittles anyone or thinks he's more than he is.
Believe me I've been around just as long as him and you B-squad cry babies don't know how good you actually have it. The bosses 15 to 20 years ago would bite your head off if you screwed up or acted like the department owed you something. Bring back Schmaltz,Miele,Camp,Kornbrath,and even Cancel or Natitis and you would realize how good you infants have it now.

Anonymous said...

Last commentor
So lets get this straight. When shcmoltz and burgenholtz used to do 34s. Pull the driver out and uf them for no reason. Then call an area car, throw the bloody driver into the cruiser and drive away.
That is proper way to do things? Miele is lucky he is not in federal prison for the way he treated minorities. These are great role models u speak of.
Unfortunately i dont feel like having my house taken away and my kids future taken away cause some zero on a dirt bike spun his tires. Thanks for the advice.

Anonymous said...

Its funny how felix became a super boss last year when he was trying to get hired by other depts. its sad when dennis can find employment over felix. But dennis did not have a record breaking personnel file that needs a wheel barrel to haul around ....

Anonymous said...

Where is my last comment, Kevin? Due to be posted shortly, I would hope...car 3 c squad...

Anonymous said...

All of this for nothing we will find the truth bout the guy who died in the motoclycle yea might know how good a person is but really don't know who he really is you can know a person that are good but become the wast of it come on we all know he kill and if he did it twice he will strikes again

Anonymous said...

Hopefully this is the end of the road for this cop killer. Hope he gets what he deserves.

Anonymous said...

Brother and sister officers...regarding Felix's recent incident...as Kevin said, there is video everywhere these days, and all of our radio channels are recorded. As such, I'm sure whatever actually happened or did not happen on the night in question will come to light soon, and the proof will be inescapable, one way or another. As Felix's former partner in the Narcotics Division for many years, I feel that I can confidently state that If he did do wrong, I'm sure he'll man up and accept the consequences, whatever they may be. Conversely, if the evidence refutes the massive amount of rumor and conjecture that have been circulating around the pd as "facts" up until this point, some of you guys will be hard pressed for an apology. Let's not forget that all of us are innocent until proven guilty. I'm sure it's somewhat exciting to talk shit anonymously about another officer online for whatever personal reasons you may have, but remember that one day you too might find yourself in similar circumstances (God forbid) for one reason or another, and at that time I'm sure your opinion about offhand comments such as some of the ones posted here will change. Again, I'm not defending Felix's alleged actions because I can't. Neither I nor anybody else currently has all of the facts, so let's act like the unbiased professionals that we should be until that point. If Felix made mistakes, so be it. Let's at least show him the appropriate amount of respect and let the investigators do their jobs and definitively ascertain the facts of the matter before condemning him. Also let's not forget the saying "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." No takers? Just my personal opinion.
- Officer Ed Foster/Car 3/"C" squad

Hi steveK said...

Is this the same foster who locked up a WWE female employee? I bet stone cold or the rock would have dropped foster like a 500 lb sack of tracey comp claims....

Anonymous said...

I would like to know what happen to the ending of this story or is this a forgotten death? Was there a video shown?