KDSN RADIO News
Denison PD Chief Agrees With Iowa Supreme Court Reversal
The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Donna Reed Theater last month about a Woodbury County verdict that they later reversed and remanded.
Police Chief Brandon Rinnan says he followed the decision closely because he knew it could affect how Denison PD approaches certain cases.
“Denison has a lot of people that have different languages and I know that our officers have had similar circumstances when it comes to language barriers,” said Rinnan.
A district court had allowed a suspected drunk driver to suppress a chemical breath test. That court ruled the Sioux City police officer who made the arrest did not make all reasonable efforts to get past a language barrier and advise the suspect about things like implied consent. The Iowa Supreme Court reversed that ruling. Chief Rinnan says the officer involved went above and beyond in some ways.
“I would even go so far as the officer did some other measures that would be extraordinary like letting the defendant make phone calls to anybody that he wanted to help interpret,” said Rinnan. “When the decision came down at the Supreme Court they looked at what would a reasonable officer do and I think he exceeded that.”
He says Denison PD typically has success using the translator hotline that the arresting officer in the case had trouble reaching.
“They will continue to do that and as long as they make reasonable efforts to give them the implied consent there shouldn’t be any change to the way we operate,” said Rinnan.
Rinnan says he learned a lot by watching the Iowa Supreme Court in action and he was impressed by the professionalism of everyone involved in last month’s special event.
