A day in the life of Kansas State Trooper Mike Ottensmeier
Staff writer
Editor's Note: With the recent traffic fatalities on U.S.-50, we thought it would be fitting to ride along with a Kansas State trooper patrolling area highways. Law enforcement officials have beefed up patrol on highways that have construction sites to ensure motorists and construction workers are safe.
On Oct. 20, I spent the day with Kansas State trooper Mike Ottensmeier. He patrolled highways in McPherson, Marion, and Harvey counties on the day I rode with him.
This story is a timeline of the activities and incidents we encountered that day.
9:08 a.m.: We departed from the Hillsboro Star-Journal office, where Kansas State Trooper Mike Ottensmeier picked me up in his Ford Crown Victoria No. 403.
Ottensmeier radioed the Salina dispatcher, 10-12, letting the dispatcher know that he had a visitor on board. He checked his dispatch radios for Salina and county sheriff department.
9:11 a.m.: We checked in the zone office located in the Hillsboro Police Department building. Ottensmeier checked his mail box, Nothing there. Next, he checked his e-mail. He explained that most messages from the highway patrol office are on e-mail.
"We even receive our checks online," he said. "All in an effort for the state to save money."
Troopers also have web portals where they can check things from their home computers.
"Empty box — a good thing," Ottensmeier replied.
9:26 a.m.: We left the trooper office in Hillsboro and headed east on U.S.-56. He radioed Salina dispatch of our location, double checked all his equipment, and turned on the radar and video camera.
"Traffic stops are a deadly thing," Ottensmeier said. "Speed is the number one killer in 99 percent of traffic accidents."
Ottensmeier said the "Move left law," is a law. The law requires motorists to change lanes away from the emergency vehicles, if possible, and/or slow down. A violation can result in fines in excess of $180.
9:40 a.m.: We turned north on U.S.-77.
Ottensmeier explained his zone includes Marion, Morris, Chase, and McPherson counties. He is designated as Marion's trooper.
He said the Kansas Highway Patrol wants to initiate proactive policing. They want motorists to know they are there. He said he tries "to run the highways north, south, east, and west."
Ottensmeier feels things are not like they used to be when troopers were more appreciated by the community.
"I guess times and people have changed since the '60s and 70s," he said. "This proactive policing lets people know the highway patrol is still here.
"We meet the people, other law enforcement, and emergency personnel to let them know they can rely on their local trooper to assist them in anyway," he said.
9:53 a.m.: Ottensmeier detected a truck speeding south on U.S.-77 speeding. Radar indicated the truck was going 75 mph in a 65-mph zone. We made a U-turn on the highway and headed south. The truck slowed down and pulled to the side.
10:01 a.m.: Ottensmeier checked the driver's license and tags with Salina dispatcher. He issued the driver a warning.
"I document every stop I make on paper and on audio and video," Ottensmeier said, "that way I protect myself and the motorists."
Ottensmeier takes into account each situation when deciding to write a citation or just a warning. Mostly, he feels if the motorist spots a trooper, complies with the law, and his/her conduct is amicable, he will usually issue a warning if the violation is on the line.
10:09 a.m.: He checked in with Salina dispatch of our location and we continued south on U.S.- 77.
According to Ottensmeier, a state trooper's jurisdiction is from state line to state line and they have full police power.
"Our main mission is to enforce traffic laws and assist in any traffic related incidents.
10:20 a.m.: The Salina dispatcher reported their computer systems were down and would be back up approximately 30 minutes later.
10:32 a.m.: We pulled into Johnson's General Store at U.S. 77/50 for a bathroom break.
10:36 a.m.: We traveled west on U.S. 50, and approached the only construction zone left on U.S.-50 in Marion County, according to Ottensmeier. There are other construction zones on U.S.-50 in Harvey and Chase counties.
10:54 a.m.: We approached the construction site on U.S. 50 and Indigo Road in Harvey County. We traveled through one-lane traffic and headed toward Newton.
11:05 a.m.: We exited on the Broadway and First Street exit in Newton and traveled on the roundabout north on Interstate 135.
Ottensmeier explained why troopers ride in the left lane. He said it is easier for the radar to pick up the targeted vehicles and get more accurate radar readings. Ottensmeier's radar system is able to check vehicles' speeds on all four lanes of the interstate as well as vehicles approaching from the rear.
He also reiterated that a trooper must have reasonable probable cause to stop a motorist.
11:25 a.m.: Ottensmeier spotted a suspicious vehicle with a cracked windshield and the driver was not wearing a seat belt. We followed the vehicle to see if he was in compliance with the law in traveling at the corect speed limit. The driver was in compliance and Ottensmeier made the decision not to pursue.
11:33 a.m.: Ottensmeier clocked a motorist heading south on I-135 traveling 83 mph. We quickly turned around in the median and headed north traveling over rumble strips and up to 120 mph in pursuit of speeding motorist.
Ottensmeier called dispatcher with a 10-44, (vehicle stop). He radioed in the Minnesota tag number on the black Saturn. The motorist slowed and pulled to the side of the highway. Ottensmeier approached the vehicle with two college-age women inside the car.
He came back to his car and radioed in the license number of the driver. There were no prior violations reported. Ottensmeier wrote the driver a citation, issued the traffic ticket, and told her what courthouse to send payment.
Because Ottensmeier patrols through various counties, he has address stickers of the courthouses in the area he patrols.
He also checked his audio and video camera in the car to make sure everything was on tape.
"Video cameras are the best thing since the automatic pistol," Ottensmeier said. "They were installed to protect the officers and the general public."
11:50 a.m.: We stopped in McPherson for lunch. He radioed Salina 10-10 (out somewhere, but subject to call).
12:23 p.m.: We left restaurant and headed east on U.S.-50. Ottensmeier spotted a black truck pulling a trailer headed west on U.S.-56. In his initial observation, Ottensmeier thought there were no lights or safety chains on the trailer.
We turned around and he stopped the truck at the gas station located on Kansas and Champlin Avenue in McPherson.
He called dispatch for a 10-44 and checked the tag number of the truck.
It was discovered the driver did have a safety chain, but no working lights on the trailer.
Ottensmeier came back to the patrol car and radioed Salina for a license check. The driver's Oklahoma license was expired which the driver told Ottensmeier when he handed his license to him.
He received a warning for equipment violations, but received a ticket for an expired driver's license.
"I have grounds for hauling him to jail, but I feel he was down on his luck so I didn't," Ottensmeier said.
"It is all a judgment call and common sense out here," he said. "The citation will force him to get a driver's license. If he doesn't he will go to jail."
12:36 p.m.: Ottensmeier checked in with Salina and we began heading north on I-135 to patrol the rest area. He reported making about six to 10 stops and about 20-25 contacts per day.
While traveling, Ottensmeier noticed an increase in traffic flow on the interstate, which had been slow earlier.
12:45 p.m.: We approached the rest area at mile marker 68 north of McPherson.
"We go through the area to let the vehicle be seen and to make sure everything is OK," he said.
Ottensmeier said surprisingly most of the stops made in rest areas are domestic disturbances, and stolen vehicles are a problem.
12:51 p.m.: We received a call from Salina dispatch that motorists were reporting a driver in a white van driving erratically south on I-135. The driver had just passed the 82-mile marker and we were at the 65-mile marker.
We turned around at the 77-mile marker at the Saline/McPherson county line to see if we could locate the reported white van and driver.
12:55 p.m.: Ottensmeier dropped pursuit of the white van when he detected a semi-truck and trailer going 89 mph in a 70-mph zone. We drove speeds up to 110 mph to catch the semi.
The trailer had Oklahoma tags. Ottensmeier radioed in a 10-44 to check number. He approached the semi-truck cautiously and told the driver he was clocked at 89 mph.
The driver said his truck could not go over 80 and that his speedometer registered 79.
Ottensmeier wrote the ticket for going 80 mph in a 70-mph zone. He advised the driver to have the semi-truck and speedometer checked.
"People don't realize that the size of the vehicles' tires can distort the actual speed they are going," he said.
1:06 p.m.: Ottensmeier spotted the white van while he was writing the trucker's ticket. We pursued the vehicle to see if we could catch him.
Ottensmeier checked in with Salina and found the white van had Florida tags. After traveling a few miles, Ottensmeier was about to abort the pursuit of the white van when he spotted it.
He turned on his flashers and the driver pulled to the side of the road. Ottensmeier explained to the driver about the reports of his erratic driving. Ottensmeier found out the driver was trying to read a map while driving, and was weaving in and out of the lanes.
No citation was issued, but a warning was given and the driver was advised to pull off on an exit ramp to read the map.
1:23 p.m.: We continued south on I-135 and got off at the Moundridge exit to turn around and head back north.
Ottensmeier explained that troopers drive their cars up to 50,000 miles then trade them in for a new car. The Salina office sells the trade-ins to other agencies. He also said they turn in their tires every 12,000 miles. He said he gets a new car and three sets of tires each year.
"I put about 200 miles per day on the vehicle," he said.
We reached exit 60 in McPherson, when Ottensmeier's vehicle experienced transmission problems.
"I hate to tell you this, but my car keeps kicking in and out of overdrive," he said. "I think my transmission is shot."
We headed east on U.S.-56 back to Hillsboro. Ottensmeier reported the problem to Salina dispatcher.
1:41 p.m.: Ottensmeier spotted an abandoned car at the 270-mile marker on U.S.-56. He re-tagged the vehicle so owners would know to move the vehicle before it is towed.
We continued to travel slowly along the highway until a decision was made from his supervisor what action should be taken with his car. He was advised to call Ford roadside assistant number because the vehicle is still under warranty.
Meanwhile, Ottensmeier radioed partner Scott Proffitt to come transport me back to Hillsboro. Ottensmeier asked Proffitt if he could use his car to finish out his shift. Ottensmeier made arrangements to go to Salina to pick up a loaner car.
"Now this is real life," he said.
1:51 p.m.: The car could go only 40-30 mph. We finally stopped at the 282-mile marker at the McPherson/Marion county line.
1:54 p.m.: The decision was made from Salina to have the vehicle towed to Hillsboro Ford so mechanics there could assess the damage.
1:59 p.m.: Contact was made to Hillsboro Ford by Salina dispatcher. Auto House of Galva would come to tow the vehicle to Hillsboro.
2:06 p.m.: Ottensmeier reported to Salina 10-7 (car out of service).
We waited in the vehicle for Trooper Proffitt to arrive.
2:17 p.m.: Proffitt arrived to take me back to Hillsboro while Ottensmeier waited for the tow truck.
3 p.m.: Ottensmeier and tow truck driver arrived at Hillsboro Ford shop.
The vehicle was unloaded off and Ottensmeier gathered his rifle and other equipment out of the disabled vehicle into Proffitt's car.
Ottensmeier reiterated to me again, "Now that's real life."
