When a video surfaced showing a rifle sitting on top of a moving Des Moines Police Department patrol car, the story spread fast across social media, prompting questions about safety, accountability, and how such an incident could happen in the first place. It didn’t take long before WHO Des Moines 13 News reached out to local attorneys for perspective, and Herting Law’s managing partner, Daniel Herting, offered a candid and measured reaction to what many viewed as a baffling lapse in protocol. His comments became a central part of the coverage.
In the segment, reporters explained that the rifle was spotted on Sunday afternoon, and the person who noticed it began recording as the patrol car continued driving with the firearm resting unsecured on its roof. By Monday, Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart released a statement acknowledging clear policy violations while noting that an internal review was underway to determine exactly how the weapon ended up there and who was responsible for securing it.
Daniel provided a straightforward assessment of how the situation might have played out if it involved anyone other than law enforcement. He pointed out that everyday citizens can face significant consequences for improperly securing a firearm, including a serious misdemeanor charge that carries the possibility of jail time and hundreds of dollars in fines. His argument was simple: accountability should apply uniformly, and the public deserves transparency when something this potentially dangerous occurs.
He also emphasized that several questions remain unanswered, such as how many officers were in the vehicle, who handled the firearm most recently, and whether the responsibility fell on the driver or someone else entirely. Daniel noted that while internal procedures may take time, members of the community have a right to understand how such a risk to public safety unfolded and what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents.
WHO 13 News also reported that the officer driving the patrol car was not the one who placed the rifle on top of the vehicle. The department has not yet released the name of the officer responsible.
