State trooper gives pass to Iowa governor's driver

[cyclonescott]

"Did you get the wind, the word on who that vehicle was?" Hedlund could be heard asking the dispatcher in the recordings, before chuckling. "I guess my career doesn't have enough problems the way it is. It was the governor."

Hedlund, of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, had called a dispatcher on April 26 to report a black Chevrolet Tahoe that was driving a "hard 90" mph on westbound Highway 20 near Iowa Falls. The dispatcher called for the assistance of a nearby trooper, who eventually moved to intercept the vehicle several miles away after the SUV turned onto the Interstate 35 southbound ramp. The dispatcher also checked the vehicle's license plate number, which raised suspicion when it did not turn up in a computer database.

Hedlund pursued the SUV in his state vehicle for miles until the trooper arrived. Hedlund promised to be that trooper's backup during the stop. The SUV ultimately was clocked at 84 mph, over the highway's speed limit of 65.

Dash camera video shows the unidentified trooper zip in and out of traffic to catch up to the governor's vehicle and pass a school bus at a high rate of speed before ending the pursuit after realizing who was inside the SUV.

http://news.yahoo.com/state-trooper-gives-pass-iowa-governors-driver-181333309.html

[YALE]

Why is this news?

[Forever_frost]

Cops give politicians passes on laws that citizens are bound by all the time. Not news but should result in cop's firing.

Edit: Rest of the story:

Radio call logs indicated it was "Car 1," a reference to the governor's vehicle. By then, the SUV had traveled through three counties and covered 15 miles.

The governor's schedule shows he was returning to Des Moines after appearing at an event in Parkersburg. Branstad's driving detail comes from a state patrol unit assigned to protect the governor, first lady, lieutenant governor and other dignitaries.

Lt. Rob Hansen, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, which includes DCI and the patrol, said the department is reviewing the incident as part of a personnel investigation. He said trooper Steve Lawrence was driving the governor, and trooper Matthew Eimers was the one who responded and let him go. Hansen said troopers can be ticketed for speeding.

Branstad has made highway safety a priority since retaking office in 2011. Last year, he signed a measure into law that increased sanctions against drivers who pass stopped school buses, and his transportation aides have a goal of reducing highway deaths to zero.

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In this June 10, 2011, photo Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, center left, stands in front the state vehicl …
Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds were inside the SUV, but were not aware of the incident until Tuesday, governor spokesman Tim Albrecht said. He added that Branstad has "great faith and trust" in the law enforcement officials who drive him throughout Iowa's 99 counties.

On the recordings, Hedlund thanked the dispatcher he talked to during the check of the governor's vehicle.

"OK, no problem," the dispatcher responded before sharing a laugh with Hedlund.

"I feel bad for the trooper," Hedlund said.

"That's OK. I'm sure they realized you guys are out there doing your job, right?" the dispatcher responded.

Hedlund made a joke about the need for more troopers on the road. Soon, though, he seemed to recognize the significance of the incident. He called the dispatcher back and asked to have the SUV's license plate ran through the system, and again it did not turn up.

"Just in case it becomes an issue, I want to be able to, you know, have some documentation ...," he told another dispatcher.

Hedlund later called to ask how long audio files of radio traffic were retained and joked that he was "making friends" and endangering his career.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon, and Hedlund complained Monday, April 29, to superiors about the governor's driver being let go without consequence, Hedlund's attorney, Tom Duff, said. Two days later, the attorney said, agents showed up at Hedlund's home to take his gun, badge, car, phone and laptop and inform him he was on leave. Duff said they told Hedlund it was for alleged insubordination and rules violations.

"He feared exactly what was going to happen. If he raised that issue, there was going to be some retaliation," Duff said. "He took the weekend to think about whether it was going to be worth it. If you ask him, he'd do it again."

The department refused to release a copy of Hedlund's complaint, claiming it was part of a personnel investigation. Albrecht said Hedlund's leave was unrelated to the speeding incident.

Hedlund, who worked on the kidnapping and slaying case of two young cousins who vanished a year ago in Evansdale, was recently interviewed as part of a disciplinary investigation that he hopes will allow him to return to work, Duff said.

[YALE]

What a fucking pussy tattletale. What'd he think was going to happen? The governor is his ultimate boss, and he's going to bitch about other troopers giving him a pass? That's called a, "career limiting decision." More to the point: speeding tickets are bullshit, and if I could get away with it, I'd speed everywhere, too. Vote Yale for Governor of Texas, 2028, so I can speed a lot, and organize combination 5k's and coyote hunts for all my beloved CHL holders. Give it a rest, social justice warriors.

[racrguy]

What a fucking pussy tattletale. What'd he think was going to happen? The governor is his ultimate boss, and he's going to bitch about other troopers giving him a pass? That's called a, "career limiting decision." More to the point: speeding tickets are bullshit, and if I could get away with it, I'd speed everywhere, too. Vote Yale for Governor of Texas, 2028, so I can speed a lot, and organize combination 5k's and coyote hunts for all my beloved CHL holders. Give it a rest, social justice warriors.

Will I get said speeding exemption as well?

[YALE]

Will I get said speeding exemption as well?

Hell no. You're going under the jail!

[03trubluGT]

Frost, are you suggesting that officers abandon discretion?

So if someone is speeding to the hosptial, they get a ticket?

If I stop you for 1 mph over the limit, then you get a ticket?

[racrguy]

Hell no. You're going under the jail!

[Forever_frost]

Frost, are you suggesting that officers abandon discretion?

So if someone is speeding to the hosptial, they get a ticket?

If I stop you for 1 mph over the limit, then you get a ticket?

Are you saying 1 mile per hour is the same as 30 miles per hour over the limit weaving in and out of traffic? Not saying abandon discretion at all. If that wasn't his boss, that guy would have been under the jail for felony speeding. How much discretion is on felonies?

[03trubluGT]

Are you saying 1 mile per hour is the same as 30 miles per hour over the limit weaving in and out of traffic? Not saying abandon discretion at all. If that wasn't his boss, that guy would have been under the jail for felony speeding. How much discretion is on felonies?

You don't have a clue on this kind of thing.

10 over is a class C ticket.
30 over is a Class C ticket.

Tarrant County won't even prosecute a reckless driving offense (a Class B Mr. Meaner).


So, what was your question?

[dcs13]

Are you saying 1 mile per hour is the same as 30 miles per hour over the limit weaving in and out of traffic? Not saying abandon discretion at all. If that wasn't his boss, that guy would have been under the jail for felony speeding. How much discretion is on felonies?

OK, I have had it, ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID ? "Felony Speeding" Where in the Perry Fucking Mason did you hear that term ? Watching old episodes of 1 Adam 12 or Ponch and John ?

[grove rat]

Hell no. You're going under the jail!

i'd vote for you strictly based on that

[Probie]

Are you saying 1 mile per hour is the same as 30 miles per hour over the limit weaving in and out of traffic? Not saying abandon discretion at all. If that wasn't his boss, that guy would have been under the jail for felony speeding. How much discretion is on felonies?

Speeding is speeding, it's breaking the law either way.

[Probie]

Hell no. You're going under the jail!

What about me?

[crapstang]

Mr. Meaner

Oh, hai.