repost from another forum:
After reading the scandal regarding Keokuk County Sheriff Jeff Shipley in today's Des Moines Register (yeah, I do read that rag, if for no other reason than to know what the Enemies of Liberty are thinking about today), I am struck by two things:
"1. In the second cut-away of the Trooper's Incident Report (p8A), Shipley states, "You know I have my gun in there (inside his vehicle)". Why wasn't he charged with the weapons violation of transporting a loaded weapon while intoxicated?
2. I want to reach out and tell all of those honest, professional Law Enforcement Officers working in Iowa that their service is honored and appreciated, and Mr. Shipley's conduct is not a reflection upon them, any more than the actions of the 1% (actually much less) of dishonest permit holders should be a reflection upon the rest of us. The real answer to gun crime, and to unrepentantly dishonest LEOs is vigorous enforcement of one set of standards for all. We just need to ensure that these standards reflect the Original Intent of those authors of the Bill of Rights.
The good citizens of Keokuk County will have the opportunity to turn Mr. Shipley out at the next election. Unfortunately, this POS is wearing a badge today, and his doing so is an embarrassment to all."
link to locust street liar article
before anyone gets butt hurt, i do realize that this county has had a rough darn go of it... that being said, i'm wondering how the issda and other tax payer funded employee orgs manage to put their views and lobbying power out there against the tax payers and citizens that are actually funding them? it is my opinion they are here to enforce law, not make it. and in this case sheriff shipley is way out of line...
i'll call a spade a spade when i say this guy has a problem, and i'd like to see him get his. i'll also give a firm and resounding kudos to the vast majority of LE in this state and others that aren't scum, don't push their political agendas on the public, and are generally in harmony with the public they serve.
my thanks to you all, and you know who you are!
The Iowa State Police I know are professional LEO and treat everyone with respect. The transcripts appear to back that up in this case too.
It appears to me that the Keokuk county SO has some internal issues with the ISP. Why one of their deputies was involved and angry about aggressive speed enforcement indicates to me that the problem could stem from public opinion. ie: citizens making comparisons between the 2 agencies.
As a tax paying citizen, not that county, who has friends,neighbors and family who have been charged with OWI, I feel compelled to repeat the rhetoric that Law Enforcement Offices use everywhere : " The law is the law, it must be enforced equally"
I had a chance to read through the article this morning in The DM Register. I have charged people with OWI with less evidence and less self incriminating statements being made that have resulted in convictions. The County Attorney's statement that the evidence wasn't there is pure bologna. If I lived in that county I would not vote for him based solely on his integrity.
As a Sergeant said to me over a decade ago it takes an entire career to build a solid reputation; it takes only one incident to have it all come crashing down.
