An Iowa State University police officer was fired following an investigation regarding a high-speed case in which two other vehicles were struck.

McKenna Rich started employment with the Iowa State University Police Department (ISUPD) in December 2021 as a full-time police officer. Rich was placed on administrative leave Oct. 9, and her employment was terminated Nov. 2. 

On Oct. 9, Rich was reportedly performing her patrolling duties when she was informed via radio of a vehicle pursuit on U.S. Highway 30, where a driver was driving on the wrong side of the road. Rich’s captain instructed all Iowa State officers not to assist unless specifically requested. When dispatch asked if Rich was in the area, she responded that she would wait at the corner of University and Lincoln.

While on the way to her staging point, she witnessed the suspect driving recklessly with Story County Deputy Matthew Massaro in pursuit. In response, she reached out to Story County dispatch to see if she could be of any assistance. Massaro requested another car to assist him in blocking the suspect. Story County Deputy Sheriff Aaron Kester also arrived to assist, and Rich’s patrol vehicle ended up between the two deputies.

When the suspect performed a U-turn, Massaro attempted a precision immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, to block the car, which caused both vehicles to stop in the middle of the intersection. Rich was approaching the vehicles at a high speed and was unable to stop, leading her to collide with an uninvolved vehicle. 

Following the first collision, Kester activated his air horn in what he said was an attempt to get past and assist Massaro. Rich took this as the go-ahead to continue with the pursuit, and she left the struck vehicle behind. 

During the second half of the pursuit, the suspect stopped his vehicle to avoid hitting a pedestrian, and Rich swerved to avoid striking the subject. The pursuit continued through another intersection without stopping. Rich continued to follow and, in the process, hit another uninvolved vehicle. This caused the uninvolved vehicle to hit a nearby apartment building. Following the second collision, Rich removed herself from the pursuit, which lasted approximately three minutes, according to police reports. 

ISUPD conducted an internal investigation and determined Rich violated direct orders not to engage in the pursuit, exercised an extreme lack of judgment, acting recklessly without due regard for public safety by striking two uninvolved vehicles. During the investigation, it was found that Rich’s officer body-worn camera (BWC) was not activated and properly synced with her vehicle’s emergency equipment. 

Rich was discharged from her role as an officer under the violation of the employer’s 41.3 and 41.4 policies when she violated the direct orders by proceeding through the intersections with a red light before activating her lights and sirens, not checking intersections before entering them, forcing vehicles from their lanes, traveling at high rates of speed without slowing to make sure intersections were clear and colliding with two uninvolved vehicles.

According to administrative law judge paperwork, Rich had a history of violating employer policy. In April, she was involved in another vehicle pursuit in which she was traveling at dangerously high rates of speed, violating departmental directives and state law. 

Rich had also received a complaint from a citizen in September when an investigation revealed that she conducted unconstitutional detention of an individual in which they felt coerced to produce evidence against themselves. This investigation was still pending at the time of her final termination. 

ISUPD Chief Michael Newton said the decision in this unemployment case will not change the department’s policy for pursuits and patrol operations.

No injuries were reported in either of the collisions.