Sioux Rapids, Iowa — A northwest Iowa police chief has ignited a firestorm over a social media post earlier this week.
The post in question was in response to the image of a pickup attempting to drive through a crowd of protesters over the weekend in the parking lot of a Des Moines supermarket. The post read, “HIT THE GAS AND HANG ON OVER THE SPEED BUMPS.”
According to KCCI TV in Des Moines, Sioux Rapids Police Chief Tim Porter issued the following statement Tuesday: “I have a huge apology to all that saw my Facebook page yesterday of myself making a comment about running over a person in the street holding a USA sign.”
Porter’s apology says he was working on another post when the incendiary remark “accidentally posted on the wrong post.”
Sioux Rapids elected officials released a statement Tuesday afternoon, according to the Des Moines Register, saying, “an incident involving social media by a member of the police is being investigated, and any and all disciplinary action deemed necessary will be taken.” The statement went on to say, “Public trust and accountability are the foundations of policing. When an officer violates that trust, it is our responsibility to ensure that it does not occur again. We are committed to running a police department that respects the rights of every officer and every citizen and guest of our community.”
Sioux Rapids is located in northern Buena Vista County, about 20 miles south of Spencer on Highway 71.
