Lang
7/17/21
A new state law could mean more traffic stops for Iowa City Police.
Last November, Interim Police Chief Capt. Denise Brotherton initiated a policy that Iowa City Police would not pull motorists over solely for minor violations such as cracked windshields. The move was intended to reduce disproportionate traffic stops on minority motorists.
But the new “Back The Blue” law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds last month includes a provision that prevents local municipalities from discouraging or prohibiting its law enforcement officers from enforcing any state law, no matter how minor. Cities or counties that violate the law could lose state funding.
City officials note officers are still allowed to use their own discretion when considering a traffic stop, but newly-hired police chief Dustin Liston was forced to revoke his department’s guidelines as of July 1st, when the new law went into effect.
Critics say the new provision is another example of the state revoking local control.