Latest news with #ChrisRoche
CBS News
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Eagan police say new tool could cut down on pursuits
New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how Police in Eagan, Minnesota, say they have a new tool to help keep the community and officers safe when there's a need for a pursuit. Leaders hope what's called the Grappler will cut down on the need to chase in the first place. The Eagan Police Department has had nine pursuits so far in 2025. Last year, they had 23. Administrative Sgt. Rich Evans explains how the Grappler works. "It drops a net in front of the car and that wraps around the tire of the suspect vehicle, immobilizing that tire and bringing the car to a stop," Evans said. It's mounted on the front of a squad and is deployed from behind a vehicle. Officer Chris Roche is trained on using the tool. "It's a relatively simple system," Roche said. When ready, an officer activates the power, then deploys the device. Eagan police demonstrating the new Grappler tool. Eagan Police Department "Initially, you hear a lot of noise with the zip ties, like braking, and the tether stretching so the vehicle stops or begins to stop, and then you apply the brake pressure to create that distance. And then once the vehicle gets to that 30 feet distance, then you can feel sometimes like a jerking motion, or the vehicle like lurching forward from, you know, them not coming to a stop yet," Roche said. Evans worked on the funding to get the Grappler to Eagan. The install is $5,000. Each replacement net costs $400. He says it's a safer option than what the department has been using, a pit maneuver or stop sticks. "The stop stick theory is good because it can deflate tires in a controlled manner, but to do that, you have to put your officers in harm's way. Now we can preemptively work and plan. It's an effective tool to be able to get into position behind a vehicle and limit the risk of the officers and the public," Evans said. The Grappler may be used at low speeds before a chase starts, or to stop someone in a stolen car or trying to flee police. "It's been kind of a known fact for several years that people think it's a free for all, and we want to stop that. We want to actually put people behind bars, hold people accountable, catch violators and enhance public safety the same time," Evans said. Roche says during an already high-pressure situation, the Grappler can make a difference. "The advantage to this is, before we get into a lot of the unpredictability of a pursuit, or potentially before we get into that, we have the opportunity to use this tool to stop it very early on, or before it even starts," Roche said. The Grappler can also be used to stop a car during a medical emergency where there is an immediate risk. The Eagan Police Department is the first agency in Minnesota to use the Grappler. There are only a handful right now in the Midwest.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Gloucestershire NHS staff to strike for nine more days in pay row
A number of specialist NHS staff at two Gloucestershire hospitals will walk out for nine more days amid a dispute over their pay and phlebotomists - staff who take blood samples - from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital took industrial action from Monday to Wednesday this Unison union says the NHS trust that runs both hospitals has "repeatedly missed deadlines to correct the workers' pay". The staff are set to continue their strike from Monday to Thursday next week, and from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April. The trust said no blood will be taken from patients during the industrial action and has apologised to patients. Dawny Elliott, who works at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, said she and other phlebotomists played "a vital role" in the NHS."Every diagnosis starts with a phlebotomist. Yet we're feeling very overworked, undervalued, and underpaid," she said."My colleagues and I are passionate about our jobs, but many of us are struggling to make ends meet."Some are even taking on second jobs just to get by." A Unison spokesperson said: "The trust has ignored a fair job evaluation process and attempted to get out of its obligations to assess the phlebotomists' skills and responsibilities," "Despite clear evidence that these health workers should be on band three of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, the trust managers continue to pay them at the lower band two grade, meaning they are losing out on around £1 an hour."Chris Roche, south west regional organiser at Unison, said managers had been given "more than a year to put things right"."Now, faced with yet another failure by their employer, phlebotomists have no choice but to escalate their action," Mr Roche said. 'Contingency plans in place' Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust "recognises and appreciates the valuable contribution" phlebotomists make."We will continue to work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists on resolving these issues," he added."Contingency plans are in place and we are advising patients who have an appointment at either Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) during periods of industrial action to attend as normal unless they hear from us directly to advise otherwise. "However, there will be no phlebotomy service/blood taken from patients during industrial action."We would like to apologise for any inconvenience in advance."
