Posted on 07/05/2013 8:08:51 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Tuesday, dash cam video surfaced of an Iowa State Trooper pursuing a speeding black Chevy SUV on Highway 20 between Cedar Falls and Fort Dodge, back in April. In an audio recording, you can hear DCI Special Agent Larry Hedlund call a state dispatcher for help in pulling over the SUV that he was going a "hard 90."
State Patrol started a pursuit, but backed off when they learned the SUV was being driven by a fellow officer and Governor Terry Branstad was a passenger.
Five days later the DCI put Hedlund on administrative leave after he complained to his superiors that Branstad's driver got a free pass.
Wednesday, Branstad said that decision was not related to the speeding incident. But Hedlund's attorney insists it was retaliation.
Governor Branstand and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds said they weren't aware of the event until Tuesday. The Governor told press Wednesday his security personal are not above the law.
"I believe that everybody ought to be treated equally and fairly under the law,” he said.
Police in Marion said issuing speeding tickets is not black and white, more of a gray zone. They said their department only pulls people over when drivers reach a certain speed over the limit. Then, writing a ticket is up to the officer.
"Maybe they're going over the speed limit because she's delivering a baby in the back seat. I mean, they still have a lot of discretion on giving a speeding ticket out," said Chief Harry Daugherty.
However, Chief Daugherty said it's policy that none of his officers exceed the speed limit unless they're headed to an emergency. He said if one officer spots another breaking that rule, the offender is reported.
"If they see something like that then they are required to let their supervisor know what they saw," said Daugherty. "There would be an internal investigation.”
The state Department of Public Safety is reviewing the speeding incident. The governor said he believes the department will determine the best way to handle the situation.
No, it was Dick Nixon who gave the nation the ‘double nickle’.
State Police Chief Smith sez you've got to speculate to accumulate!
In California and at least several other states vehicles driven
by and for legislators and, I assume, governors have plates
which identify them to be mucky-mucks. Of course a cop
in pursuit needs to get close enough to identify the special
plates and maybe Iowa is not among those states with dis-
tinguishable plates. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not in favor
of speeding governors unless it is Governor Brown and he
was heading west on a pier in Santa Barbara.
Gov. Branstad is a Republican, in office 1983-1999 and 2011-present. There is nothing to indicate that he had anything to do with the trooper speeding. It is common knowledge that cops rarely ticket other cops.
Crown Vic’s are on the out, not made any more. Here in Taxifornia the favorites seem to be Dodge’s with big Hemi’s.
The folks in the Western half were true Americans.
I just figured that the Eastern half of IA rules the roost and makes the place a near ‘rat nirvana.
Truly the inflection point for law breaking as the rule.
Cops have always had tremendous discretion in what and how laws they enforce. this is not new news.
Things that affect if they pull you over:
If you look like you are screwing around while driving
If you have crap sticking out (feet, boards, etc) of your crummy looking car
If you are driving an extremely expensive car and look like you shouldn’t be the driver
If they are trying to fill an end of month ticket quota
If they have been told to generate more revenue from tickets
If it’s a slow day
If you are speeding over 10 mph posted limit
If you’re driving with lights off in rain or snow or night
If you hit the brakes while speeding after you pass them
If they can hear your music blaring before they see your car
Forgot, if you shout “I thought I smelled bacon!” when you pass by them
Our idiot ex govenor Corslime almost killed himself doing the same thing
His driver was doing 90 on Garden State Parkway and texting
when hit guard rail
Corslime not wearing seat belt was ejected from vehicle and seriously injured......
NJ road nazi er State troopers use unmarked Camaro and Chargers with tinted windows - illegal in NJ
Seen ‘em on shoulders after pulled some poor slob over.....
Or not...
Today - Constable On Patrol (COP) = Mobile revenue generating unit.
Gone are the days of "To Serve and Protect".
Yes, I realize this rant is slightly off topic...
“So the Gov is in a SUV doing 90mph and he had no clue?”
A friend took my Jetta Sportwagen TDI for a drive. He announced, “wow, that’s 80 and I really can’t tell.” Neither could I and I was beside him. Most modern cars are whisper quiet at high speed. My Marauder is the same.
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