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Police Officer Suspended for Ticketing Mayor's Son
(Stock Photo)
Salt Lake Tribune via YellowBrix
October 27, 2009
STOCKTON, UT – Stockton Police Chief Heinz Kopp is keeping his distance from what has become a pretty big dustup in this tiny Tooele County town.
“It wasn’t my decision to suspend [Officer Josh Rowell],” the chief said Monday. “That was the mayor’s doing. I was left out of the loop on that one.”
The chief was referring to the fallout after Rowell cited Mayor Dan Rydalch’s son for driving without a license.
The mayor could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The City Council has scheduled a special Thursday evening session to discuss the matter, which has caused some of the town’s estimated 600 residents to contact council members with questions.
Rowell said Tuesday night he was parked by the side of the road and was motioning vehicles over to check for license, registration and DUI when he realized a white car appeared to be evading the checkpoint on residential streets. He followed the sedan and pulled it over.
The driver, Jared Rydalch, 29, could not produce a driver’s license. Rowell cited him and told him he would pull him over again if he spotted him driving that night.
ArizonaCop928
1 day ago
50 Comments
First of all, why does the mayor have the power to suspend this officer. Second, shame on the police chief for givining that excuse that "he was left out on this one", cmon Chief get a set of balls and stand up for your officers. Guess the Chief himself doesnt want to be suspended as well!
Also Chief is keeping his distance on this one, WOW, what a leader this guy must be.
futureBakersfieldPD1
6 days ago
30 Comments
they should lock up the mayor for abusing his power
Bravo68cty
14 days ago
26 Comments
Wow, honestly, dick and childish move on the Mayor's part. How dare the Mayor to suspend an officer for giving his flake of a son a ticket, the son is no where near above the law, including the Mayor. And I am absolutely disgusted that the Chief did nothing about the situation, I guess we know now who wears the pants in this messed up family....
patchez
15 days ago
7026 Comments
Im speechless... The Mayor should be chastised, his sons old enough to take care of himself so what kind of message does this send to people!!!
sheila1981grad
16 days ago
230 Comments
NO ONE, IS ABOVE THE LAW,IT APPLIES, TO EACH, AND EVERY ONE ,OF US.THE CHIEF, OF POLICE, SHOULD HAVE BEEN, BACKING, HIS OFFICER UP, 100 PERCENT.NOT COWERING, IN SOME CORNER..........................
normancm
17 days ago
150 Comments
A political office with corruption and the misuse of power, that's just unheard of *sarcasm*! I would expect that just because I am a LEO (someday) that my family be held to the laws just like everyone else. I'm glad the Mayor is on his way out!!
Sgt_Fitz
18 days ago
22 Comments
Cheif Kopp, first of all, my sincerest apologies for my previous rant about your "inaction" in this matter. I was obviously hasty in my conclusion. I am sorry. I have a very visceral reaction when I hear about folks who don't take care of their troops. In my world that has always been job one. My characterization of you could not have been farther from the truth. Fortunately it appears the problem with the Mayor has self-corrected. I knew the good people of Utah would resolve this the right way. That said, Rydalch and son are still knotheads.
militarypolice2009
18 days ago
4 Comments
you know i think that the mayor is using his power just to get his family out of trouple and is corrupt. in the military as a law enforcement officer, if you pull a high ranking officer or his family over for breaking the law, you get a coin and not suspended or fired for it. ya i may get my ass chewed out by my command, but it is well worth it. i would rather pull over a genral and give him a ticket for dui, or not having his license on him, than let him go and he get into an accident later. to protect and serve, of the troop, for the troops is my motto.
Herwig2111
19 days ago
4 Comments
Chief47, way to stick up for your Officer. I used to work for a small town and the Chief would sell his Officers out in a heartbeat. Good for you, and keep up the great work. Stay Alert, and Stay Alive brothers and sisters!
pudhcat
19 days ago
2204 Comments
ABUSE OF POWER MAYOR!!!!....ironically it seems your constituants must have thought so too since you lost last night's election! Who got fired?!
KUDOS to Ofcr Rowell for doing his duty and not waivering because the one he cited was the mayor's kid - BIG DEAL! - you break the law, you take your medicine!
g45
20 days ago
18 Comments
I am glad to hear the mayor is on his way out. By the way, authoritydnl, your profile said you are considering a career in Law Enforcement. Do everyone a favor, and consider something else. Just because some officer's don't issue tickets to other LEO's doesn't make any of them corrupt. By your logic, builders shouldn't discount supplies to other builders when they are in need, and every retail store should stop giving employee discounts. It's all about PROFESSIONALISM.
chief47
20 days ago
28 Comments
my fellow officers and the good people of this great country... this is chief kopp of stockton utah.. I just wanted to let you know the people of stockton have spoken. Mayor Rydalch lost the election tonight 25% to 75%... justice is served.....
MarineMPSpecReac
20 days ago
48 Comments
This person has been shown for the lack of integrity he never had. He needs to step down.
anthonyromano
20 days ago
6 Comments
I have to agree with kleong2241 what country are we living in. The city council in this jurisdiction better take the right action and back up this officer for doing what he was sworn to do.
WVSmokey
20 days ago
6 Comments
That Mayor needs to go. Obviously a person who feels they and their family are above the law should not hold the public's trust.