Sheldon, Iowa — Once each month Iowa State Patrol Trooper Nick Erdmann, who is the Patrol’s Public Service Officer for the 8 counties here in far northwest Iowa, appears on the KIWA Morning Show.
Earlier this week, when Erdmann made his appearance, we were talking with him about marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles, which prompted a text from a listener who said, “I think every officer’s car should be clearly marked so people can’t fake cars and pull people over pretending to be officers.”
Erdmann replied to the listener comment by letting people know that all Iowa State Troopers are required to wear a full uniform when on-duty.
Trooper Erdmann advised anyone who is pulled over, if they have any doubt about the officer’s identity, they should ask to see the officer’s ID.
Most often when we see Iowa State Troopers, we’re used to seeing them in what is called their “Class A” uniforms, the brown shirts, tan pants, gun belt and Smokey Bear hat. Depending on the day, and the trooper’s assignment for the day you may see them dressed in their “Class B” uniforms, which consist of a black polo shirt with the Iowa State Patrol logo on the upper left chest, along with cargo pants and their gun belt. The “Class B” uniform does NOT include the easily-recognizable Smokey Bear hat. Erdmann tells us that when troopers are assigned a task that is apt to get their uniforms dirty, there is a third uniform option, as well.
He remind us that on-duty troopers are required to be in full uniform, but if you’re not sure you’ve been pulled over by a REAL cop, ask to see their ID.
