Cedar Rapids Police probing photo

Cedar Rapids Police have launched an investigation into an image sent to them which appears to depict an officer sleeping inside a police car.

The department is investigating the origin and authenticity of the photo – which was being circulated on the Internet – and are trying to verify the officer and date and time the image was taken, Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Thursday.

The department received an email from Cedar Rapids resident Tim Pugh requesting the department investigate, Hamblin acknowledged in the release. Media outlets were copied on the e-mail from Pugh, who highlighted it as a waste of tax dollars.

The photo was taken by a Facebook friend who wanted to remain anonymous because of possible retaliation, Pugh said. The photo is “legit” and Pugh said he was told the photo was taken in the Czech Village area Tuesday afternoon.

Pugh was a leader of the opposition group the We Can Do Better CR effort against the tax extension which Linn County residents voted on May 3.