City Councilman Ted Stokes, Utah, threatens to defund cops in fiery rant when one shows up after son's car accident

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

He resigned.

‘Make sure these guys are defunded’: Utah city council member resigns following fiery rant at cops
“[Your] lack of training blows my mind…I’m telling you how you’re supposed to do your job because you obviously don’t know,” the now-former Smithfield council member said

https://www.police1.com/body-camera/make-sure-these-guys-are-defunded-utah-city-leader-resigns-following-fiery-rant-at-cops



SMITHFIELD, Utah — A Smithfield City Council member has resigned following intense public criticism after a confrontational encounter with police officers was captured on body camera footage, KUTV reported.

Now former council member Ted Stokes was scrutinized following a 20-minute exchange with officers on Aug. 3, 2025, after they arrived at his home to follow up on a car crash involving his son. While the crash caused only minor injuries, including a bloody nose, Stokes’ reaction to the police response drew widespread backlash.

In the video, released by the Smithfield Police Department to Police1, Stokes is heard berating the officers, criticizing their training and threatening to defund the police department.

“I promise you I will do everything in my power as a city council member to make sure these guys are defunded,” Stokes is heard saying in the video. “There will be five police officers in this town because this is unbelievable.”

On Sept. 20, Stokes issued a lengthy written apology, acknowledging that he allowed emotion to override professionalism and respect.-----

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. Words are easy.

When people show you their true nature, believe it.

[Conjuay]

2. You got a taser- USE IT!

[Kali]

6. um, he's white and belongs to the cult. it is small town Utah

the odds of him getting tasered are about the same as me winning a beauty pageant.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

5. He reminds me of the judge that behaved entitled when the cop followed her to her home

She pulled the judge card

[Don Spikers]

3. Covering up something.

I'm watching this wondering if the kid was drunk or high. This guy is distracting the officer. Then he said he would talk for his son. Must be nice to not to have to talk to an officer when you total a car. The guy is a total *&%%.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

4. He is a guy who probably 100% supports cops cc when they brutalize poc

Not so much when they question HIM