"Though it was a serious call, and one that would require quick response, it's not the kind of call that allows officer to put red light and siren on," said Deputy Chief Tom Stolz on Monday.
McCune wants to know why "shots fired" call doesn't qualify.
"I believe if there were shots fired that's a life and death situation. They should have had their lights on. It doesn't matter if that's policy or not. That's a life and death situation," says McCune.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating. It plans to have some data back from the police cars "black box" later this week that will tell investigators how fast the patrol car was going at the time of the crash.
The officer's injuries were not serious.
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By Kim Hynes (WICHITA, Kan.)
A 30-year-old Wichita man dies after a crash with a Wichita police car. The accident happened around nine Sunday night in Wichita at South Hydraulic and El Monte.
Deputy Chief Tom Stolz says two officers were headed to a shots fired call at the Lamplighter club. He says that's when a 25-year-old officer got into an accident. He says when the second patrol car was going by, 30-year-old Christopher Perkins attempted to make a left hand turn. Stolz says that's when he collided with the patrol car.
Perkins was taken to the hospital and died a short time later. The officer was treated and released. "Our thoughts go out to Mr. Perkins family and the officer's family," Stolz said.
He says neither police officer was running lights and sirens at the time of the accident. "Though it was a serious call and one that would require quick response, it's not the kind of call that allows officer to put red light and siren on," Stolz said.
Police policy shows lights and sirens can be used when officer's are responding to a call to protect a person's life, like an officer in trouble call. They can also be used during a police chase and also to pull people over.
Stolz says they're now investigating how fast the officer was driving. He says a black box in a patrol car will give the exact speed. "It was a serious call so the officer's would be pushing it. But our policy is restrictive on that as well. We have to drive reasonably and safely."
The Kansas Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. It's expected to be complete later this week.
