Rebuild Iowa State Patrol’s ranks

By Darin Snedden

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I have been fortunate to be a member of the Iowa State Patrol for more than 20 years. In my capacity as president of the Iowa State Troopers Association, I speak with many of my public safety colleagues around the state. There is a growing awareness that recent state budget cuts have been so severe that the safety of Iowans is on the verge of being critically compromised.

Today, there are 371 troopers in the State Patrol - a 45-year low. A lot has changed on Iowa's roadways in those 45 years. There are more cars, more trucks, and a more sophisticated, organized contraband trafficking network on our highways.

Troopers today are some of the most technologically proficient law officers in the field. Working in concert with the Department of Public Safety, the State Patrol utilizes systems that stretch the reach and effectiveness of each and every trooper. There is, however, a limit to our effectiveness at today's strength levels. The number of troopers has dwindled to a dangerously low level, and action is needed in this year's legislative session.

It is not uncommon these days for one trooper to be responsible for covering a three- to four-county area. The coverage area increases during evening shifts or when there is a special event requiring State Patrol resources.

During the most recent winter storm, troopers handled nearly 2,543 emergency calls and investigated 64 personal injury and property-related accidents in a two-day period. The State Patrol was stretched to respond in a timely manner to everyone needing help in poor winter conditions.

The ISTA hopes to work with Governor-elect Branstad and legislative leaders on a specific two-pronged strategy to ensure Iowans' safety on the road:

l Secure funding for

45 troopers that were paid for by one-time federal stimulus dollars in the last fiscal year.

l Start a planned, and reasonable, program to rebuild trooper strength to 455, a level we last saw in the 2000 budget year. This can be accomplished by adding 20 troopers per year for the next four years. Taking into account retirements and separations, Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Eugene Meyers has indicated the number may need to be closer to 30 to 35 per year for a period of eight years.

While there are no easy answers for Iowa's budget challenges, we have been encouraged by comments from Branstad and other elected officials about the priority of public safety. As the 2011 legislative session begins in earnest, we look forward to working together to determine the best options to fund these shared priorities.

Working together, we can ensure that Iowa's roadways are the safest in the nation. That has been, and will continue to be, the most important mission of your Iowa State Troopers.

Darin M. Snedden, of Mount Vernon, is an Iowa State Trooper and president of the Iowa State Troopers Association. Comments: dlsnedden@msn.com