IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An investigation by The Associated Press has found that police departments routinely withhold video taken by body-worn and dashboard-mounted cameras of officer-involved shootings and other uses of force. To test the public’s ability to access police video under state open records laws for Sunshine Week, the AP made requests for roughly 20 recent incidents in a dozen states. The requests were met with denial after denial and failed, so far, to unearth video of a single incident that had not already been made public.

In rejecting or delaying the requests, most law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cited broad exemptions that allow them to keep records of pending investigations secret. Government watchdog groups say the exemption can be misapplied to hide embarrassing footage from the public.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A special state audit for a Shelby County agency has identified more than $59,000 in improper disbursements. The audit report released Wednesday says the audit was requested because of concerns regarding payments for overtime, compensatory time and vacation to county Emergency Management Agency employees. The audit covered July 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2017.

The report says more than $41,000 for paid leave was improperly disbursed for four county employees, primarily for compensatory time. More than $13,000 was improperly disbursed for an employee shared with Audubon County. The report also said nearly $1,600 given to three Shelby County employees was not adequately documented to determine whether the money spent was appropriate for county operations.

The report includes recommendations to strengthen the county’s internal controls and overall operations.

Efforts are underway in area counties to prepare for inevitable flooding that’s expected in association with heavy rain and snowmelt/ice jams. Doug Reed, Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Director told KJAN News (at 10-a.m.), that the West Nishnabotna River was officially about one-foot above flood stage as of mid-morning today (Wednesday). He said the river is starting to come the back channels or drainage areas into low-lying areas along the river. Communities potentially impacted by flood waters are preparing, and supplies are being distributed for sandbagging operations. An emergency shelter is being readied in-case it’s needed. He says they’re doing everything the can to help minimize the risk once the crest takes place.

Reed said he could not confirm any sandbagging activities were underway at the AHST-W School, and no roads were underwater as of the last report. Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Londo issued a statement late this morning, with regard to flooding. “Shelby County was placed in a flood warning the morning of March 13th, 2019 until 6:30 PM the same day. Currently we are seeing rising river levels throughout the county. Shelby County Emergency Management is working with local authorities to mitigate the risk. We recommend members of the public to be cautious of low-lying areas and not to drive across flooded roads.”

In Cass County, Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said all roads are currently open, nut that wasn’t the case earlier this morning. He said Quimby Road off of Highway 48 north of Griswold, was closed due to ice being deposited on the roadway from area waterways. The last reading on the East Nishanbotna was 12.8-feet, which was well below the 19-foot flood stage, where minor flooding takes place. However, rain is imminent. That, and the snow melt is worth keeping an eye on, he said.

Preparations are also underway in Montgomery County.

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration urges its DEA-registered practitioners and members of the public to be cautious of telephone calls from criminals posing as DEA or other law enforcement personnel threatening arrest and prosecution for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities. DEA continues to receive reports from practitioners and the general public, alike, indicating that they have received calls threatening legal action if an exorbitant fine is not paid immediately over the phone. The callers typically identify themselves as DEA personnel and instruct their victims to pay the “fine” via wire transfer to avoid arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.

The reported scam tactics are continually changing, but often share many of the following characteristics:

• Callers use fake names and badge numbers or, alternatively, names of well-known DEA senior officials.
• The tone of calls is urgent and aggressive; callers refuse to speak or leave a message with anyone other than the person for whom they are calling.
• Callers threaten arrest, prosecution and imprisonment, and in the case of medical practitioners, revocation of their DEA numbers.
• Callers demand thousands of dollars via wire transfer or, in some instances, in the form of untraceable gift cards taken over the phone.
• Callers falsify the number on caller ID to appear as a legitimate DEA phone number.
• Callers will often ask for personal information, such as social security number or date of birth.
• When calling a medical practitioner, callers often reference National Provider Identifier numbers and/or state license numbers. They also might claim that patients are making accusations against the practitioner.

It’s important to underscore that DEA personnel will never contact practitioners or members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment. DEA will not request any personal or sensitive information over the phone. Notification of a legitimate investigation or legal action is made via official letter or in person. Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law.

Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA special agent or other law enforcement official seeking money should refuse the demand and report the threat using the online form or by calling 877-792-2873. Reporting scam calls will greatly assist DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal activity. Any urgent concerns or questions, including inquiring about legitimate investigations, should be directed to the local DEA field division.

To report scam activity online, visit https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/esor/spring/main?execution=e1s1.