Slain student apparently dialed 911; help not sent

THL · 05-02-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

MADISON, Wis. - A college student apparently called 911 from her cell phone shortly before she was killed but a dispatcher hung up, failed to call back and never sent police to investigate, authorities said Thursday.

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray said it was too early to know whether a better response could have prevented the April 2 slaying of Wisconsin-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann or helped police capture her killer.

Authorities refused to release the content of the phone call, but Wray said it should have been enough for the Dane County 911 Center to take it seriously.

"It would be accurate to state that there is evidence contained in the call, which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched," Wray said at a news conference. "The 911 center did not call back to the telephone number, Madison police were not notified and no officer was sent."

Zimmermann, 21, was found slain in her apartment in an apparently random crime. Police believe someone broke into her apartment before killing her. They have not identified a suspect but have ruled out her fiance, who found her body in the apartment they shared.

Dane County Public Safety Communications Director Joseph Norwick said the dispatcher who received the call from Zimmermann's cell phone inquired several times to determine whether an emergency existed. The dispatcher hung up after receiving no answer and then answered another 911 call that was waiting, he said.

The dispatcher failed to call the number back as required under the department's policy, Norwick said.

Norwick said he was investigating the incident and reviewing whether policies should be changed and employees should be disciplined. But he also said, "I don't think there's anything to apologize for at this time."

Police: Slain student apparently dialed 911; help not sent -- chicagotribune.com

Tarek Morgen · 05-02-2008, 12:50 PM

here this person would be charged with "killing through negligence" (can't think of a better translation)

omon · 05-02-2008, 13:37 PM

she would be alive, if she had a gun.

Southie · 05-02-2008, 13:50 PM

Norwick said he was investigating the incident and reviewing whether policies should be changed and employees should be disciplined. But he also said, "I don't think there's anything to apologize for at this time."

Oops, sorry!

Oh wait, there's nothing to apologize for at this time?

If that had been my daughter, the whole Dane County 911 Center would have alot of questions to answer, in front of a judge, after I sued them!!!

Kalvan · 05-02-2008, 14:52 PM

Quote:

If that had been my daughter, the whole Dane County 911 Center would have alot of questions to answer, in front of a judge, after I sued them!!!

Exercise in futility, not to mention a waste of money. The courts have consistently ruled that the police have no responsibility to protect any individual. They protect the community in general. The only one responsible for protecting you is you.

omon · 05-02-2008, 15:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalvan

Exercise in futility, not to mention a waste of money. The courts have consistently ruled that the police have no responsibility to protect any individual. They protect the community in general. The only one responsible for protecting you is you.

it isn,t about cops, 911 dispatch never called cops, his primary purpose to contact emergency services, he failed to even call back the victim.

it has nothiong to do with court rullings, that we all aware of anyway.

Tarek Morgen · 05-02-2008, 15:03 PM

Then you have a complete different understanding of what a police jobs is than we have over here.

omon · 05-02-2008, 15:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarek Morgen

Then you have a complete different understanding of what a police jobs is than we have over here.

what do you mean?

Oscar · 05-02-2008, 15:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarek Morgen

Then you have a complete different understanding of what a police jobs is than we have over here.

I think it has much more to do with the mentality in America. People rely far less on the state for their protection (physical or otherwise) than we do in Europe. We expect more from our police because we have no other means to defend ourselves.

dave lukins · 05-02-2008, 15:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omon

she would be alive, if she had a gun.

Or two dead people??

S-2 · 05-02-2008, 15:46 PM

I went to school there. It's an EXTREMELY liberal community. Ms. Zimmerman almost certainly didn't own a gun nor even consider it. The community has classically been very sensitive to violent crimes against women (particularly rape) and there've been sporadic serial rapings from time to time around the campus area.

This is surprising. By most accounts, Dane county public services are generally managed well with strong oversight and accountability. It, after all, is home to both the state capitol and an extremely large university w/ a global reputation.

The story behind this will be interesting as to final culpability or mitigating circumstance. Hard to imagine what that might be though.

omon · 05-02-2008, 15:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave lukins

Or two dead people??

what 2 ppl?

Tarek Morgen · 05-02-2008, 16:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omon

what do you mean?

Sorry English is not my mother language so my choice of words is not always the best. What I was trying to say is, that here that it is the job of the police to protect induvidiales (to the best of ther abilities) and not just the society as a whole. The defense (in a trial) that the police does not have to help you would not stand a single minute.

gunnut · 05-02-2008, 16:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarek Morgen

Sorry English is not my mother language so my choice of words is not always the best. What I was trying to say is, that here that it is the job of the police to protect induvidiales (to the best of ther abilities) and not just the society as a whole. The defense (in a trial) that the police does not have to help you would not stand a single minute.

Our job description for the police is to "enforce the law." They have no obligation to protect anyone other than through the course of enforcing laws. They do not have the obligation to prevent crimes from happening either.

Tarek Morgen · 05-02-2008, 16:53 PM

And this is completly different here (that is what I was trying to say earlier), though to be honest...I prefer our model. (Even if I have to admit that our police is forced to wear incredible ugly uniforms).

05-02-2008, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tarek Morgen *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 02-08-07 Location: Kassel Posts: 807 Country:	here this person would be charged with "killing through negligence" (can't think of a better translation) __________________ uh I might be wrong

05-02-2008, 13:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
omon Field mechanik *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-01-06 Location: bk Posts: 1,925 Country:	she would be alive, if she had a gun. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" B. Franklin

05-02-2008, 13:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Southie USAF Retired TSgt *Military Professional* Join Date: 04-09-07 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,560 Country:	Norwick said he was investigating the incident and reviewing whether policies should be changed and employees should be disciplined. But he also said, "I don't think there's anything to apologize for at this time." Oops, sorry! Oh wait, there's nothing to apologize for at this time? If that had been my daughter, the whole Dane County 911 Center would have alot of questions to answer, in front of a judge, after I sued them!!! __________________ “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin

05-02-2008, 15:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
S-2 *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-11-06 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 2,110 Country:	Madison, Wisconsin I went to school there. It's an EXTREMELY liberal community. Ms. Zimmerman almost certainly didn't own a gun nor even consider it. The community has classically been very sensitive to violent crimes against women (particularly rape) and there've been sporadic serial rapings from time to time around the campus area. This is surprising. By most accounts, Dane county public services are generally managed well with strong oversight and accountability. It, after all, is home to both the state capitol and an extremely large university w/ a global reputation. The story behind this will be interesting as to final culpability or mitigating circumstance. Hard to imagine what that might be though. __________________ "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski

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05-02-2008, 15:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tarek Morgen *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 02-08-07 Location: Kassel Posts: 807 Country:	Then you have a complete different understanding of what a police jobs is than we have over here.

05-02-2008, 16:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tarek Morgen *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 02-08-07 Location: Kassel Posts: 807 Country:	And this is completly different here (that is what I was trying to say earlier), though to be honest...I prefer our model. (Even if I have to admit that our police is forced to wear incredible ugly uniforms).

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