Deseret News | Stockton officer reinstated

Reader comments
Stockton officer reinstated

Accountability is key | 1:29 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The plea of the mayor's son is understandable but raises questions about the mayor's willingness to be held accountable for his official actions.

I hope when people call Mayor Rydalch they are expressing their viewpoints in the most civil way possible, although I can imagine that doesn't always happen. I also hope the mayor is listening, since that's part of the job his constituents pay him to do. But in any case, if the guy can't take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen. Constant public scrutiny and an obligation to answer for one's decisions are part of the American model of civil service.

THEeyepatch | 1:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Mayor Dan Rydalch still has a JOB? What kind of country are we living in when a "WHO" can run a small town and fire his own COPS because they (COPS) gave a ticket to his "ADULT" son? He is a "DISGRACE" and he should terminate his office. Look at the pic, looks like he has nothing to say.

Unrighteous Dominion... | 3:16 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

There had better not be a chance that he gets re-elected as mayor! People of Stockton, you have to do the right thing and get rid of this guy! He's obviously unfit to hold public office.

It appears to me that he has overstepped his bounds once too many. A selfish bully like Rydalch is a scourge to public servants!

Comments continue below

@ THE eyepatch | 4:56 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The city council did the proper thing, namely they left the firing or hiring up to the voters. It is only a few weeks away and it would have been wrong of them to have done anything prematurely.

Utah Government | 5:17 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

In Utah people get elected and then believe that they are better than the constituents who voted them in. It's not just this small town mayor. Try talking to your State Senator about ANY topic where you disagree.

Better yet, ask Senator Stephenson how it's ethical for him to be a Senator and a lobbyist at the same time.

He'll go all "Rydalch" on you.

Norm | 6:14 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

don't worry..... | 6:18 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

..... Mr. Rydalch can always move to Eagle Mountain and run for mayor there. They haven't had any drama for a while.

Congrats to the officer for DOING HIS JOB!! I'm glad he has his job back. Hope the mayor's son learned his lesson from this.

Anonymous | 6:29 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

So what did the Mayor's statement to the town council say? Come on reporter.. give us the facts.

JOHNJ | 6:56 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

We can see though history what the masses can do to destroy! This is a hugh example from such a small town in America. It seems if this happened in the 1800's you people would have already have strung Dan up on a rope. Look at all the examples though history.
What has happend to my peaceful and loving forgiving town I grew up in.

Kelly | 7:04 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I can't beleive the mayor is still on the job. This is nothing short of misuse of power. I hope this police officer is not in any way penalized for doing his job.

New Sneaks | 8:00 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Draper had Mayor Red and American Fork had Mayor Green. After their quest for unquestioned power neither were heard from again. Mayor Rydalch will suffer the same political banishment.

Stand Up | 8:07 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Go for the city council to stand up to the mayor, and the people of Stockton to stand up for their police officer. The mayor needs to watch reruns of Andy Taylor show, you remember Mayberry, see how you get along with everyone in a small town. Galllleeeeee mayor, he was just doing his job.

I bet the Mayor | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

was a bully on the playground as a kid, or he was the kid that got picked on everyday.

Cats | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

This is really arrogant abuse of power. I guess this kid's daddy has taken care of his problems for him all of his life and he's still doing it. This mayor is so out of line it's unbelievable.

This guy is history.

Anonymous | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Did anyone see the actually video footage of this cop? It looked like a glen beck publicity stunt, seriously looked like the cop was going to cry. I was on the cop’s side until I saw this video. He is talking about how it’s hard to do what you think is right. If you know what you’re doing is right you have to stand your ground. Oh, so giving that ticket for not having proof of a drivers license is the right things to do and when he knew it he had to stand his ground. This cop acts like this is a seriously thing, it’s not! You give seat belt tickets! I understand making hard choices as a cop and having to stand your ground maybe if you shoot someone. The fact that you have to stand your ground about these petty tickets is pathetic. We need cops, who do actual police work, and then we need ticket maids. Seriously why do we waste cops time with giving traffic tickets? Anyone remember the Dirty Harry movies?? Do you ever see Him pulling people over and giving them traffic violations?? Where have the real police gone?

Anonymous | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

First off NONE of us were there or heard any of the words that were spoken between the officer and the Mayors son. We all know that there are always two sides to the same story. The Mayors actions were incorrect and most likely out of line; he should have gone to court and fought the ticket. See how well fighting the ticket worked for the fire chief in Jericho Arkansans ( Google “Fire chief JERICHO, Ark.” ). I am sick and tired of this Gestapo like police force in this country. I mean seriously who gets a ticket for not having your license on you??? I can remember two different times getting pulled over with no license, as long as you can prove you identity to the office they really don’t seem to care. Want to talk about cops doing their jobs, please look into cops stealing in Tenaha Texas. We need to be very careful with how much power these police officers hold.

check point | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

someone who clearly avoids a check point, is likely hiding something, common sense would be for the police to catch up with them and find out why.
I have not read anywhere that police are restricted to only pulling people over in a certain area.

K | 9:12 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Well, "Anonymous @ 8:51 am today". He wasn't just driving without a license, He was ALSO AVOIDING the traffic stop. What does THAT tell you?

Abuse of power my foot! Just because you are the son of a mayoral bully does not mean you are above the law.

Southern Utah | 9:32 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

re: Anonymous, you want to talk about a conspiracy, just look at your post, putting all cops, police etc in a untrusting group, with weak generalization!!! Not every cop is going to be perfect and some may be outright terrible but we cannot put all law enforcement in the same basket as being "EVIL". I know quite a few who are great examples and are always on the side of law protecting his city, county etc.

Outside the planned checkpoint | 9:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

That statement from the Mayor was hilarious...he wants to restrict his police into working only in planned checkpoint areas. I'm sorry, but I'd hope that my police force, if they saw someone anywhere in the town who looked or drove like they were drunk, would pull them over, even if it is outside a planned checkpoint. The law should not be restriced to certain venues, if it is then we're all doomed.

Anonymous | 9:52 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Well first off check points are unconstitutional. Does anyone remember probable cause? What probable cause do police officers have of pulling people over at random? Like the mayor said, if only one innocent person is pulled over that is just too many. If a police officer pulls you over there HAS to be a reason. The police cannot pull you over to find a reason; they need a reason to pull you over. Remember you give a mouse a cookie they will want some milk! We need to watch these police officers!

Anonymous | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Probable cause is defined as the following:
“Reasonable ground for a belief, as, in a criminal case, that the accused was guilty of the crime, or, in a civil case, that grounds for the action existed: used esp. as a defense to an action for malicious prosecution.”
So the Mayors son was accused of avoiding a check point? Where does it state that avoiding a check point is against the law? This driver broke no laws, but was pulled over and hassled! This was an illegal stop!

Principles | 9:58 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The fact is that the officer and his department were violating the Fourth Amendment in their DUI roadblock in the first place. How many innocent people were detained without probable cause? Even if it's only one person - and we must assume that many "sober" people were detained - the Constitution has been violated. Officers, please find the backbone to refuse participation in illegal searches in the future.
Yes, the mayor was on a power trip. But the entire event would not have happened if the Stockton police chief was loyal to the Constitution.

Shinn | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

To the anonymouse user...do you have any idea what you are even talking about?? A police officer needs his integrity, on all things. He is constantly on the media's eye and is often looked down upon. Standing your ground on everything is a must in that field. secondly, who gets a ticket for not having a license...EVERYONE. It's the law, you break it, you take the consequences. He's lucky that's all the officer did. The officer COULD have left the guy standing on the street and had his car TOWED. If you don't like the police giving traffic tickets, don't interest them. They wont bother you if you do not break the law! The mayor who abused his power is the issue here, and he ought to be FIRED.

To the left winged anonymous user (because why glenn beck was even mentioned is beyond me): Go do a ride along with your police department and figure out what a cops life is before you open your big (misinformed) mouth.

just a reader.. | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

the mayor sounds a whole lot like my boss.....

CB | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Why didn't the mayor's son have a license? Was it at home? Had it been restricted and why? Actually, he should have been taken out of his car, driven to his home, and his car towed. Running home and telling Daddy and Daddy responding as he did shows some dis-function of both.

RE: Anonymous @8:49 | 10:49 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

You are living in a fantasy world. Are you really wondering why more cops aren't like Dirty Harry???

You are kidding right?

If not, you need to wake up and smell the brine shrimp. Stop watching some many movies and TV and Go outside and interact with real people, talk to actual police officers and find out what their day is like. Heck, even if you watched COPS you know that being a police officer is a tough job.

Police officers put their life on the line to maintain the peace and enforce the law.

Thanks to those officers who do their job and serve the people.

@ Shinn | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

"Who gets a ticket for not having a license..."
The answer is No One, unless the police now have a scanner that detects the lack of a driver license as the car goes past. The only way an officer can legally check on a driver's carrying a license is to pull him over. Now we're back to probable cause - unless the officer pulls him over for visible violation, the Fourth Amendment has been ignored again.
DUI roadblocks are exactly equivalent to "Your papers please", which is the practice in every totalitarian regime in the world. I'm asking our law enforcement officers to be better than the thugs of the KGB. How about it, officers?

man in blue | 11:19 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

remember annonymous "DRIVING IS A PRIVLAGE NOT A RIGHT" look up your facts before you speak.

man in blue | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Annonymous (DRIVING IS A PRIVLEGE NOT A RIGHT)read your facts before you post....but i guess being a constitutionalist means you dont have to abide by the laws... sorry

Facts | 12:06 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

For all those who think this type of stop is unconstitutional, look up Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz. It is legal, it is Constitutional.

The state has an interest in preventing DUIs, although you are in your vehicle you are in a public place, roadblock stops are ok.

Mike Richards | 12:54 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

We have courts of law that decide whether the rights of a citizen have been violated.

The Mayor of any town in America should know that there is a process which needs to be used to handle any difficulty between the government and the governed. That elected official should know that his right to act as Judge and Jury does not exist unless he has been appointed to be the judge in that community. If the mayor of Stockton thinks that he is King and can dictate law to his subjects then his subjects need to fire him and elect someone who knows the law.

If stopping someone without cause is un-Constitutional, then the courts are the venue to use to fight that issue. If probable cause is not covered by pulling over every third vehicle, and an officer issues a citation, then the court is the proper place for that officer to defend his action.

The Mayor's office is a poor substitute for the Court. His opinion is no more valid than is mine.

Reader | 1:09 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Funny how Rydalch doesn't have the courage to show up at the town council meeting to explain his actions in front of the townspeople. Real brave, mayor. Why don't you quit cowering and face the people. Of course, your pulpit from which to throw around your bully act will come to a close when you are voted out next week.

DAaron | 1:39 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

You people arguing over the constitutionality of a DUI check point or stopping a driver for avoiding it are up in the night!

This Mayors abuse of authority has nothing to do with the constitution; the officer was performing his duties as directed by a superior.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Utah without having your driver’s license on your possession. The Mayors son was clearly in violation.

I wasn't there and I didn't witness the exchange between the officer and the Mayors kid but it doesn't matter. If I were cited in Stockton for a moving infraction and called the Mayor to voice my displeasure in the way the officer spoke to me there would be no suspensions, no investigations and no nothing.

The problem here is crystal clear; the town of Stockton has a Mayor that is an obvious hot head, many have stated a "bully" and he certainly did not exercise reasonable and prudent judgment when he hastily fired and later suspended this police officer.

Pagan | 2:23 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

'This Mayors abuse of authority has nothing to do with the constitution; the officer was performing his duties as directed by a superior.'

Agreed. The police officer was following and enforcing the law. The mayor's son, was not.

And they suspend the police officer??

This mayor is corrupt.

Imagine | 3:09 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Once Mayor Rydalch loses re-election, what it's going to be like to be that particular son....

As Rydalch dodges responsibility for his illegal actions of trying to fire someone for ticketing his son for doing an illegal action... The lack of ownership of the problem leaves me with the idea that it's not going to be real fun to be a son of a Rydalch on November 4th once the votes are tallied.

re: Principles | 3:14 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I, personally am all for DUI checkpoints. Just ask anyone who has a family member taken from this life by a drunk driver. What about the rights of innocent victims who's lives were snuffed out by a drunk driver. Your comments are absurd. I am all for keeping our roads safer by keeping drunks off the road, even if it means that sometimes the rest of us get detained in these roadblocks. It is well worth the inconvenience so that hopefully if we can prevent at least 1 death at the hands of a drunken driver. Sorry, but you are way out of line on this one - "Principles."

Anonymous | 3:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If the mayor is hoping this just blows over he is mistaken. The coverup in this case is worse than the crime. If daddy had just paid his son's ticket, no one would be in hot water.

Now that's funny.....LOL!! | 3:36 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

don't worry..... | 6:18 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009
"..... Mr. Rydalch can always move to Eagle Mountain and run for mayor there. They haven't had any drama for a while.

Congrats to the officer for DOING HIS JOB!! I'm glad he has his job back. Hope the mayor's son learned his lesson from this."

Fire the Mayor | 3:37 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

FIRE THE MAYOR!

Anonymous | 5:16 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The mayor needs to be removed from office.

Connie | 6:14 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I think the Mayor should have let the officer do his job whether he felt the officers were violating the check point limitations or not. This could have been handled more professionally between the officer and the town council. Unfortuneately it did not, therefore the humiliation from the towns people and the friends and neighbors he grew up with will be very difficult to overcome. This incident not only effects Mayor Rydalch and Officer Rowell, but it effects their families as well.

Don | 6:38 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Mr. Mayor, maybe you should move to Chicago. You would fit right in! I'm glad the officier has his job back.

And for the poster who made referrence to Glen Beck- Wrong spot! He has nothing to do with this, but obviously to comment on Mr. Beck does show you have a nasty streak in you as noted in your post and by how you interjected the commentator!

mardiv | 6:56 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

As a cop this is what I have to say to the matter. We have a court system, it is there that the judge determines if a stop is lawful or not.

People have the right to represent their case and it is the responsibility prosecutor to show that the officer acted within the scope of his job.

To many mayors act like they are judges, that they own the town and everyone is subject to them. There are to many self serving Mayors that need to know the scope of their position.

Recommendation to the Cheif: Charge the Mayor with obstruction of justice by using his position to interfere with a police investigation.

They town of Myton... | 8:44 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

is looking for a Mayor.....LOL

Dear Anonymous | 6:10 a.m. Oct. 31, 2009

Just print your real name instead of anonymous. Just let everyone know you are the 29 year old son who got caught, quit hiding and stand up and are using this blog to vent your spleen. Hopefully after the next election you and daddy will have no more power ego trips.

Spineless or finally Common Sens | 6:12 a.m. Oct. 31, 2009

Either the mayor does have the spine to face he music "or" for once he showed some common sense and decided to not let this meeting become a fiasco.

One Fly | 7:33 a.m. Oct. 31, 2009

Been there done that. Appears the mayor is out of control--BUT it for the residents to decide. It is all their business not ours.

My point is that the complaining about the stop because the person avoided the checkpoint is so lame and then it's the mayor's kid who is no kid.

Like many small towns some residents feel they are entitled and special. Gets old!

OhWoW | 8:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Anonymous | 9:52 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009 - "Well first off check points are unconstitutional."

Actually, you need to get your facts straight. D.U.I. / License check points have been found to be constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

You obviously have a problem with police authority of any kind.

Here's a clue: OBEY THE LAW AND YOU WILL LIKELY BE LEFT ALONE.

Check it out | 11:21 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

To Anonymous: You ASSUME the mayor's son was stopped for avoiding the checkpoint when the reason for the stop is not mentioned. He has no license, not he didn't have it with him (there's a difference). Finally, checkpoints are NOT illegal in all states. Check the facts before you spew your cop-hating drivel.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.