A tentative deal to alleviate on-call time for overworked police officers in West Branch fell apart after a disagreement between a West Branch city council member and the Cedar County Sheriff.
During a special meeting on Oct. 30, the City of West Branch reached a verbal agreement with Cedar County Sheriff Warren Wethington allowing his deputies to run extra patrols until both sides could sign a formal contract to pay for temporary help.
However, during a side conversation at the meeting, Sheriff Wethington alleged that the City of West Liberty has hired “dishonest,” police officers.
This came after a West Branch council member Jodee Stoolman suggested seeking help from West Liberty officers.
This interaction spilled over to social media when Stoolman wrote a letter to the editor in the Nov. 9 edition of the West Liberty Index, and the West Branch Times apologizing to the West Liberty Police Department.
“It was disheartening to hear these elected and appointed officials talk so badly about a neighboring police department,” she wrote, without naming anyone specifically.
Sheriff Wethington saw the letter and posted screenshots of it to the Facebook page, “Voices of West Branch, Iowa.”
“I am the elected official she is appalled by,” he wrote. “She condescendingly addressed the rest of the city council and city staff (asking) why they did not reach out to the (WLPD) ...”
He went on to state concerns about two West Liberty officers.
“If that’s the kind of officers you want serving (your) community, I will not be a part of it,” the sheriff wrote.
Wethington said he does not care if Stoolman is appalled.
“Most people would hope the public doesn’t hear about their short-sighted suggestion,” he wrote. “Most intelligent people certainly wouldn’t put an apology in the paper shifting blame to the sheriff.”
On Nov. 10, the City of West Liberty responded to the commentary with a post of its own on Facebook signed by City Manager Lee Geertz and Interim Chief Don Strong. This response was later published in the Nov. 16 edition of the West Liberty Index.
“West Liberty Community Members, please know the City of West Liberty has taken all the necessary steps and reviews to assure the officers hired for the West Liberty Police Department are professional and dedicated to serving our community,” it states. “The WLPD Officers serve to protect, promote, and build trustworthy relationships, and enforcement.”
The chief and city administrator addressed West Liberty’s attendance at the meeting and defended the officers working for the city. It stated that all officers hired by the city go through identifying certification with the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, along with a thorough background review by the academy.
“Thank you to the West Liberty Police Officers for accepting the opportunity to serve our community. The environment for police officers is challenging enough, they are not deserving of the negative accusations and unprofessional acts of behavior. West Liberty Community Members, I ask of you to please show positive comments and support with WLPD during these challenging times.”
The post ends by stating West Liberty is honored to have each member of the police department serving the city.
Further controversy
In his original social media post on Nov 8, Sheriff Wethington asked voters to keep this issue in mind when West Branch council member Stoolman is up for reelection.
A day after the sheriff’s Facebook post, he sent an email to West Branch City Administrator Adam Kofoed, West Branch Police Chief John Hanna, and the Cedar County Board of Supervisors stating that he withdrew his verbal offer.
“This email is to inform you the Cedar County sheriff’s office is no longer interested in contracting any hours for West Branch,” he wrote. “This comes as a result of council person Stoolman’s recent behavior, comments and letter. I will not expose my deputies to the mindless rants and criticism of council person Stoolman.”
He closed by stating that deputies would still respond to emergencies.
Council member Stoolman on Friday said that, “obviously, the sheriff did not like my suggestion.”
“And, obviously, the city also did not like my suggestion,” she added. “Has it caused bad feelings? Yes.”
She said she always tries to look out for the interest of West Branch residents, noting that she has been pushing for the West Branch police department to increase its staff to five officers, especially after her car was stolen six years ago. That car was recovered soon after the theft.
“I don’t understand why people come after me and say that I’m anti-police,” the council member said.
While nothing was said about the rift at Monday’s regular city council meeting in West Branch, the city later that night released a joint statement between Stoolman, Kofoed, and Mayor Roger Laughlin.
The statement reads that Stoolman called a meeting of the three to work out “frustrations” and “to rise above and commit to a path forward.”
“Being a city official is like a marriage. There are many highs, lows, arguments, and embarrassing or shameful moments,” the statement opened. “We recognize the city’s elected officials did not appropriately communicate and support each other through recent challenges. We acknowledge the past few weeks possibly could have been prevented with more open communication and we understand the damage may not be repairable, but a solution is still needed and we are dedicated to finding it.”
It states that Laughlin and Stoolman will enroll in an Iowa League of Cities training that helps elected officials “needing guidance.”
“It happens a lot in city government. I’m happy to be on the right side this time where we can meet, discuss, and vent to each other privately, respectfully, and productively. Attending the Iowa Municipal Leadership is the first step in making amends,” Kofoed said in the statement.
Stoolman did not participate in the Facebook thread but said she saw it.
Wethington said the sheriff’s department is legally required to respond to emergencies, but that is all.
“We don’t receive any funding from West Branch for law enforcement,” he said. “We’re not going to leave West Branch hanging, but we’re not interested in contracting with West Branch, either.”