A Florida correctional officer has been arrested for misusing 911 after calling to complain about a traffic citation he received for repeatedly honking his horn to "drive faster."
Douglas Morse, 34, a correctional officer at the Polk Correctional Institute, was driving in Winter Haven, Florida, on Sunday when he was pulled over by a Polk County sheriff's deputy for repeatedly honking his horn. Morse told the deputy that he was honking his horn repeatedly because it "makes him drive faster."
After writing Morse a citation, the deputy said Morse became angry and verbally abusive before calling 911 to complain about the citation. The deputy asked Morse to hang up the phone, but he refused and said he didn't believe he deserved the citation.
Florida Correctional Officer Arrested for Misusing 911 Over Traffic Citation
As the deputy grabbed Morse's arm to escort him out of his vehicle, Morse pulled away and resisted arrest. He was arrested for misusing 911 and resisting arrest.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Morse's arrest is an example of the "unprofessional behavior" that is unacceptable from those who work in the public service industry. Sheriff Grady Judd said, "We expect more professional behavior from those who work in the public service industry. And dialing 911 because you are upset that you received a traffic citation is not only ridiculous, it ties up an emergency line and resources that are designated for those who have true emergencies."
Florida Correctional Officer Arrested for Misusing 911 Over Traffic Citation
The incident highlights the importance of using 911 only for emergencies. Misusing 911 can delay response times for those who need it most and can result in criminal charges.
According to the National Association of State 911 Administrators, 911 is a valuable resource that should be used only for emergencies. Non-emergency calls can be made to the local police or sheriff's office's non-emergency number.
Florida Correctional Officer Arrested for Misusing 911 Over Traffic Citation
Misusing 911 can have serious consequences. In addition to criminal charges, misusers may also face civil penalties. In some cases, they may even be responsible for the costs of the emergency response.
If you are unsure whether or not your call is an emergency, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call 911. However, if you are experiencing a non-emergency, please call the local police or sheriff's office's non-emergency number instead.
By using 911 only for emergencies, we can help to ensure that those who need it most can get the help they need quickly and efficiently.
