Investigation started after complaint of 10 officers speeding

Cedar Rapids and Linn County authorities are investigating a citizen's complaint about 10 officers speeding on their way to K-9 training in Indiana.

Jeff Essmann, of Waterloo, contacted SourceMedia Group to report seven Cedar Rapids police cars and three Linn County patrol cars who passed him around 11 a.m. Monday on Interstate 80 near Princeton, Ill. Essmann estimated the officers were going between 75 and 80 mph in the 65 mph zone.

Essmann did not file a formal complaint with either department, but when contacted by SourceMedia Group, both departments said they would look into the matter.

Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin confirmed seven Cedar Rapids officers and their K-9 dogs traveled Monday to Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind. for annual certification training. Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner also confirmed deputies are attending the same training.

Hamblin said the officers involved would be interviewed about the complaint and could be disciplined if the report is true. Officers would not be allowed to speed in that situation, she said.

All the officers took separate patrol cars because they each had their K-9 partners with them, Hamblin said.

Each agency has an internal affairs division to handle complaints from the public. By law, Hamblin said she is not allowed to speak about the status of an open internal investigation because it is a personnel matter.

“When we get complaints like that, we do investigate,” Hamblin said. “That's why we have Internal Affairs."