ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety fired four Georgia State Patrol troopers for violating department policy and ethical standards by seeking personal injury payouts from insurance companies after vehicle pursuits. The troopers submitted crash reports to a private attorney and claimed personal injuries to supplement their paychecks following chases in which they used their patrol vehicles to stop drivers.

The fired troopers were Hunter Waters, Tyler Byrd, Isaiah Francois and their supervisor, Sgt. Joseph Curlee. After using maneuvers including intentionally bumping vehicles and the precision immobilization technique, known as the PIT maneuver, to stop pursuits, the troopers sent crash reports to a specific private attorney who filed personal injury claims. They received money when insurance companies settled out of court.

The investigation began in January after a trooper reported hearing comments and jokes about which recent chases would qualify for a "check." Waters was the first to engage in the practice and told the other troopers about it. He told investigators that a sheriff's deputy had informed him about hiring an attorney to file a claim against a driver's insurer.

Waters' personal injury claims cited sleeplessness, soreness, anxiety and stress. The attorney sent eight demand letters on his behalf, and he received $25,000 for each of three claims, with the attorney taking one third of each payment.

Byrd told investigators he had received two $25,000 settlements, with the attorney retaining one third of each. "It was a way to make money in addition to a paycheck," Byrd told investigators.

Francois had not yet received any payouts but was expecting $25,000 minus the attorney's third after receiving a signed settlement release from an insurer. He told investigators that he saw no ethical violation in seeking the payments.

Curlee asked the attorney to file a personal injury claim on his behalf but did not receive any compensation. He told investigators that he did not think the practice violated department policy because he believed the troopers were acting as private citizens.

Five demand letters sent to insurers on behalf of Byrd and Francois did not mention that the claimants were law enforcement officers or that their vehicle contact occurred as part of their official duties. The letters did not include medical bills, claims of care or details of injuries but asserted that the injuries, pain and suffering, and damages would exceed the insurance policy limits. For each of the five demand letters, the insured drivers were charged with driving under the influence.

Department policy prohibits employees from seeking compensation related to their official duties without permission from the commissioner. No commanding officers or the commissioner were informed of the claim letters, according to the investigation summary, which said that "seeking personal compensation for the chases and stops subjects the entire Department to a damaged reputation, disparaged image, and public distrust."

"The actions of these few individuals do not reflect the core values of professionalism and trust that define our agency. The Georgia Department of Public Safety holds its Troopers and Officers conduct to a high standard," the department said.