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| 2/18/2009 1:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Couple alleges harassment
By NANCI SAUERBREI
An allegation of harassment against a deputy from the Aitkin County Sheriff's Department came during the public comment portion of the board meeting on Feb. 10. Wayne and JoAnne Alden, McGregor, and owners of the Minnesota National Golf Course, each gave their account of the incident.
"My experience has taught me to do the best job I could," Wayne began as he preceded his complaint with an account of his life as an Aitkin County citizen, growing up in the Palisade area and graduating from Aitkin High School and returning 30 years later. He was the youngest pilot selected by the Air Force to fly U. S. presidents and vice presidents, served 15 months in Vietnam, and over three years at the Pentagon, then worked as a pilot for United Airlines for 20 years.
"Three years back, I wanted to make something for Aitkin County. I love this area. Unfortunately, I have a complaint," he continued.
He said that he and JoAnne, his wife, were driving separate cars on their way home toward Palisade from Aitkin. "I noticed in my rear view mirror, someone tailgating my wife's vehicle pretending to pass, pulling out and back. I'd heard rumors of this occurring in the area."
Wayne said the deputy asked for drivers' licenses and insurance. They were told the violation was stopping in the center of the road. "I think he (the deputy) was doing something illegal. Bright lights were on. He harassed her (JoAnne) going down the road."
"It's pretty pervasive in the McGregor area," he continued. "I am going to pursue this. I hear about it periodically from people in the Sandy Lake area. I'd like to know how many times it's happened after 10:30 at night."
"My wife was scared stiff," Wayne added, saying he was considering harassment charges.
JoAnne also gave her account of what happened. "In 2002, while turning left, I was hit by a large truck. That's why I was very concerned." Stopping in the middle of the road, she explained, was their (the Aldens') private driveway into the golf course. "I was very surprised I was stopped for no apparent reason. It was very disturbing to me."
Sheriff Scott Tuner explained complaints were processed through Internal Affairs according to state law. He added that the camera data would be reviewed, but Wayne (Alden) said the camera was only turned on 10 seconds before the flashing lights as they had turned into their driveway.
The public comment portion of the meeting is informational only and does not allow for board action. After the meeting, this reporter was informed that the data from the deputy's video camera would be shown at the next board meeting on Feb. 17 at which time Sheriff Scott Turner will have an opportunity to refute this allegation.
Two vacated positions approved for rehire
Two people will be hired to fill positions in the Aitkin County Sheriff's Department. The vacated positions, a jailer and a deputy sheriff, were recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by the board at the Feb. 10 meeting.
The jailer position, unanimously approved by the personnel committee was likewise approved by the board. In the past, due to attrition and turnover, the county has been able to comply with the state requirement for the number of jailers based upon the number of inmates.
The Personnel Committee's recommendation to fill the vacated deputy sheriff position, however, came with a split vote of 3-1. Mark Wedel, board chair; Cindi Hills, human resource manager; and Patrick Wussow, county administrator, supported the recommendation while Brian Napstad, commissioner, opposed it.
Napstad said he supported the jailer position because of the attrition, but had "sound reasons for opposition, all based upon budgetary issues," for the deputy sheriff position.
In Napstad's opinion, a thorough analysis had not been presented. "There were questions I had." He also said he did not want to be faced with a layoff in August and asked the board to hold off on its decision until then.
"I do kind of support you," Commissioner Galen Tveit said to Napstad and added that it would mean more overtime or a plausible lay off. To Sheriff Turner, he said, "I don't want to cut you short, but it could affect the life of someone you hire."
Commissioner Paul Bailey said his district was under deputized, particularly Wagner Township, Salo and Lawler. "I strongly support (the recommendation). We'll take them (the deputies) down there." Bailey was also concerned about enforcement of snowmobiling laws.
Commissioner Laurie Westerlund said she would support the recommendation because elderly people wanted the protection.
"Crime is economically driven," Wedel said in support of the recommendation. "Public safety had to be top priority."
Napstad's was the lone vote in opposition to the hiring.
Communication system
The Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) was identified as the best option, presently, for Aitkin County to move toward compliancy that all public safety radio systems be narrow band, digital or 800 megahertz by Jan. 1, 2013. With the commitment to join ARMER, owned by the State of Minnesota and operated by the Department of Transportation, Sheriff Turner was instructed to investigate the costs of participation and building of towers in Aitkin County that would provide access with other member counties.
Highway Dept.
"The five-year road construction plan could be back on track, said County Engineer John Welle about the economic stimulus bill for bridges that could provide $2.2 million. Two applications, CSAH 14 over the Prairie River and CSAH 1 over the Mississippi River Diversion Channel, will be submitted for the funding.
The bid of $381,158 from Dallco, of Finlayson, for a bridge near Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge along with $29,500 for aggregate for a total low bid of $410,658 was accepted. GPS survey equipment was approved for purchase from Trimble at a cost of $50,460.
City and township assessments
Mike Dangers, assessor, and Karen Ladd, deputy assessor, reported that townships and cities had been notified of assessments due. Dangers and Ladd will also report at the quarterly Association of Townships meeting. The formula for assessments was implemented in 2004 and uses tax capacity. Overall assessment values will be discussed at a meeting in March.
Aitkin airport
An environmental assessment for airport expansion was approved at an estimated cost of $40,000 eligible for grant reimbursement at 95 percent.
Committee reports
East Central Library - Bailey reported on survey results to replace the bookmobile. Recommendations include books by mail, distribution sites for pick up and drop off, library link sites at various business locations, daycare storytime kits for pickup at nearest branch library, customized delivery at senior group residences. The bookmobile will end May 21.
Budget and Personnel - Napstad reported that the types of fund balances were being analyzed to assist in budget preparation.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Article comment by:
GL
First of all, JKB, it is well known that wikipedia is not a reputable source for accurate information. Anyone from anywhere can add information to wikipedia without being asked for any credentials what-so-ever. I don't consider typing "police brutality" into a search engine and clicking on the first link listed, in this case being, Wikipedia, hardly to be research. Try again.
Secondly, as motorists, there are many regulations we must follow while on public roadways. This holds true for law enforcement officers as well. Officers must be able to articulate a reason as to why they are stopping a vehicle, this is known as probable cause. Probable cause does not stop at a vehicle being pulled over. The officer must have sufficient evidence to detain and arrest a person as well. If it is found that an officer did not have sufficient means to stop, detain, or arrest someone this leads to the suppression of evidence in court and quite possibly a dismissal of the case all together.
For the record, I have driven my car after 11 PM many times throughout the county and Aitkin city limits and have never been pulled over. Could it be that I was following the laws? Curious, isn’t it?
Posted: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Michael Williams
I have never had any contact with Sheriff Turner or his staff that wasn't highly professional, polite and which made me feel like my taxes are well spent.
Posted: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Article comment by:
To affraid to be named
I know that not only do we have law enforcement breaking the law ,but we have county human resources not willing to act on complaints.
I was there..saw the infraction in Shamrocl township....reported it.
I had witnesses to afraid to stand up and be heard for fear of retailiation.
Kudos to Wayne for standing up to the aggresive behavior and having proof on tape that this harassement is alive and running rampant in Aitkin County.
Posted: Friday, March 13, 2009
Article comment by:
AResident
Oh my God UT. Are you paranoid or just delusional. The paranoia in this county is bordering on absurd. Are we a county of "anarchists" or do we actually want a safre environment for our children. Read the matter of record and see what kind of people are being booked into "your jail" The deputies in "your" county are arresting sexual predators, burglars, and people who are trying to kill others in the bar. When you are the victim they don't do enough. when the portable radio they are on has no reception, and you care is delayed, the accusations fly. The man and women of this county may be paid by taxes, but thay are you equal. They owe no apologies for doing their job, as you owe no apologies for doing yours. They all live in this county and raise their children here. They send them to the same schools. They have no personal stake in who get's arrested. They do their job and try and go home to their families. Those of you who feel safer because of them should let your voice be heard, because the bar owners and drunk drivers apparently don't like the idea of our deputies arresting criminals...or is that just the Drunk Drivers. You be the judge.
Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Article comment by:
UT
If you are driving drunk you should be arrested, plain and simple. But do you really think they need probable cause to pull you over? Don’t kid yourselves, in the real world 'probable cause' is ANYTHING the Deputy cares to say - that's why this discussion, and the original complaint, started. Several instances noted here don’t sound suspicious to me (driving your Grandma home, driving near the centerline - not crossing it though, pulling out of a driveway?). If you're on the road at night, then there's a chance you've been drinking and they can (and will) "create" probable cause to pull your car over whether you've actually broken a law or not. According to some of the comments here: IF YOU ARE ON THE ROAD AFTER 11PM YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AND PULLED OVER, REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL OR NOT, you must deserve it and it keeps the county safe! Besides, the police wouldn’t do it if you didn’t deserve it? Maybe they should conduct house to house searches for illegal materials, because it would keep the county safe? Then maybe next we should be required to get ID tatoos on our forearms, because it would keep the county safe? Be careful what you wish for folks, it'll be YOUR rights at risk next.
Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Article comment by:
jd
I am tired of hearing about all of these complaints on here. I have gone on ride alongs with cops in this area and other areas around the state. I have only seen honest hard working people doing their jobs. If you are out drinking and driving, you know that there is a chance you might get stopped. This is just one of the risks you take. To anyone complaining, why don't you go on a ride along with some of these cops you are complaining about? It might give you a new outlook on things. I have one more question for all of you. If a person gets drunk and drives his car into the ditch, should they be prosecuted or just given a ride home? Does that situation sound familar to anyone in particular?
Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Article comment by:
JKB
Ok ok fine your right they are doing their jobs and they do no wrong!! Go here and see some examples of just how perfect they all are. http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cases_of_police_brutality
Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Article comment by:
GL
I find it hard to believe that deputies are "bumper riding." What would even be the motivation for that? A law enforcement officer has every right to follow a vehicle that presents driving conduct that looks suspicious. This is how they stop drunk drivers and keep the roads safer for all of us. If you are driving safely and your vehicle is in proper working order, you won't be bothered, its that simple. Law enforcement can't just pull any vehicle over at any time. There has to be probable cause to do so. I encourage people to do a little research on this subject before spouting off about something they know nothing about. These accusations are ridiculous and unfounded! It seems a lot of people around here hate law enforcement until they need help...
Posted: Monday, March 09, 2009
Article comment by:
JKB
Well Stephanie the night I got pulled over I was the sober driver. I was asked to get out and take a field test which I passed. I then was asked to take the breathalizer and blew 0.00. After that the officer asked me to sit on his hood while he went to talk to my wife.He asked her if I was causing problems and if she needed any help, her reply obviously was no. When I asked what I was pulled over for he said I was driving to close to the center line however I never crossed it. Do you not think that his actions were excessive? Don't answer,from your comments I can tell you have no idea what is going on. I do respect the officers who respect us. The others are just bullys who abuse their authority.
Posted: Sunday, March 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Tim
Bumper riding your car at midnight is not 'enforcing' the law.........it's harrasment.
I'm sure they do a fine job of protecting Aitkin county, but hassling every driver they see after 11pm is wrong. None of these letters is from someone that was 'too stupid to get a sober driver', theyre from innocent people that felt intimidated being on the road at night.
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Stephanie
This is not harassment. This is the deputies of Aitkin County doing their jobs and if you were to go to any other county and break the law I am sure you would find the same thing there. The deputies of Aitkin County are making it safer for us by doing their job. Plain and simple! Just because you are too stupid to get a sober driver to drive you home after a night of drinking wherever, you blame the deputies for doing their JOB!! Maybe if you were a law abiding citizen you wouldn’t have to blame the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department, City of Aitkin Police Department, or State Patrol for doing the jobs they were hired to do and keeping the citizens of Aitkin County safe. I am speaking up for the people who think the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department is doing a fantastic job at cleaning up the riff-raff of Aitkin County!!
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Article comment by:
JKB
There is a reason Aitkin has been tagged with the saying "Come on vacation, Leave on probation". It is not just the deputies in Aitkin but the younger town cops are also guilty. They prey on us at night whether we are coming home from the movies, the bar or our parents house. Their job is to protect and serve not stalk and harass. What ever happened to the days where town law enforcement could also be looked at as trusted friends of the community.
Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Article comment by:
SRJ
Well put JP, I'm glad someone else realizes what is going on with Napstad and friends.
Maybe someone should bring up how Napstad seems to be shoving this ATV trail project down our throats. Anyone notice his big new parking lot? I guess this is going to be parking for a trailhead and right at his bar...how nice. Can anyone say CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
If it isn't about money with him, its about keeping the cops away from his bar and his friends. I really think it is funny that Napstad's buddy Wayne launches a major complaint to the County Board about the deputies on the same day they are supposed to vote on filling a vacant deputy position. Coincidence???
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Article comment by:
JP
This is hilarious. All the people who wrote in congratulating the Aldins and it turns out they were fabricating the story. And Napstad sits there and has the gall to bash law enforcement when everyone knows his agenda is about his bar and the people who bend his ear. What a joke. I think the Aldins should be sued for slander. Hey Napstad, what's on the video that your buddies on the board didn't want the public to see?? Why don't they want the video shown? To protect you and the board?
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Matt B
I just want to point out and from a young persons point of view. I have too experinced the sheriffs doing that as well...not only to me..but ive seen them do that to other.
I support any action aginst the Aitkin County and the Sheriffs Dept.
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