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DPS defends officer under fire for gun-totting
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Posted on Feb 19 2001
Sgt. Sylvan Rangamar was merely conforming to standard police procedures when he assumed a gun-ready stance after pursuing an overspeeding blue sedan driven early Thursday morning by Hot 98 disc jockey Monty Engs, said the Department of Public Safety.
DPS spokesperson Cecil Celes told reporters Friday that Mr. Rangamar pointed his department-issued firearm downwards after pulling over Mr. Engs’ vehicle past National Office Supply, claiming he saw the alleged traffic violator leaning over to his right side.
Police said the procedure is necessary every time law enforcement officers find probable cause to believe their life is being threatened.
But according to Mr. Engs, his sideways movement was an attempt to get his driver’s license and car registration ready, as he was in a hurry to reach the Hot 98 station that morning.
Police reports said that around 6 A.M., DPS conducted a laser speed enforcement along Beach Road Chalan Laulau when the Engs’ automobile passed by, traveling at high speed.
With a laser speed instrument, Sgt. Rangamar was able to register the radio personality’s vehicle running at 64 miles per hour at a 35-mph speed zone.
The officer immediately activated his emergency device and began to pursue Mr. Engs.
The alleged violator openly admitted he was driving fast in a rush to get to his Garapan-based workplace.
Mr. Engs reportedly overtook two vehicles in front of him without making the necessary signals.
According to police, he only made a complete stop right after passing National Office Supply.
Mr. Rangamar cited Mr. Engs for refusing to stop, failing to stop for a police officer, and for speeding and recklessly overtaking other vehicles on the highway.
But the local radio broadcaster maintains Mr. Rangamar’s move was totally unnecessary.
“It was a poor judgment on his part to pull that gun on me. I posed no threat,” said Mr. Engs in an earlier interview.
According to Mr. Engs, the officer apparently had the notion that he was trying to flee from him.
The DPS Internal Affairs Office is currently investigating last week’s felony stop incident.
