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Oct 23, 2008 11:05 pm US/Central
Police Focus On Speeding Policy After Child Dies
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
In light of the recent death of a 10-year-old boy, Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle announced new policies and reminded officers of rules in place to keep the public safe when responding to emergency calls.
Last Friday, 10-year-old Cole Berardi of Seagoville was killed by a Dallas Police Officer speeding to an emergency call.
Chief Kunkle said a black box on the squad car shows it was running 72 miles an hour in a 40-mile-an-hour zone. The officer was also not running the flashing lights or sirens.
At a news conference Thursday, officials released video from Sr. Cpl. Michael Vauhn's squad car. The video shows Cole looking over his shoulder just as he cut in front of the squad car on his bicycle. The video then shows a distraught Vaughn standing over the child.
The area Vauhn was speeding in was unlit, and Cole was not wearing any reflective gear, according to the accident report.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle said the department will now have to follow new policies.
Department policies now prohibit officers from driving faster than 20 mph above the speed limit on major roadways and freeways when their lights and sirens are activated.
"We do not want our officers speeding, violating any traffic laws unless they are doing it with their red lights and sirens on," said Kunkle.
In residential areas and school zones, police must now follow posted speed limits even if their lights and sirens are on.
However, police can go over the 20 mph limit when another officer is in danger or when involved in a pursuit.
"Obviously anything we do is not going to bring back that lovely 10-year-old boy," said Glenn White, Dallas Police Association President. "Hopefully what he comes up with will prevent that tragedy from happening in the future."
Chief Kunkle said he and the department are taking this one personally. "The death of Cole Berardi has affected me personally more so than any other situation I can remember," said Kunkle.
Through the family's attorney, his parents released a statement saying "Cole's life meant something. It's a strange matter. We want to know the truth."
A memorial fund for Cole has been set up at Grand Bank of Texas in Dallas.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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