Council member wanted free pass
Berkeley official used position in effort to sway cop
When Ben Bartlett was pulled over by a Berkeley police officer last month, he immediately identified himself as a Berkeley city councilman and apologized, repeatedly, for running a red light.
When he couldn’t provide his driver’s license, registration or proof of insurance, he asked Officer Stephanie Cole if he could go to the station sometime later to give her the documents. Cole responded, “No.” What happened next, which was recorded on the officer’s audio recording, was an exchange on July 19 in which a combative elected official apparently tried to use his position to get out of a ticket — and cited his support for a police labor contract. In the end, he got off with a warning.
“We’re voting on your contract right now,” Bartlett told the officer at one point. Later, he said: “Breaking my balls (to) give you guys the biggest raise possible. This how you repay me?”
Bartlett apologized Friday for the incident, which was first reported by Berkeleyside.
In a statement, Mayor Jesse Arreguin said Berkeley’s elected representatives “have an obligation to uphold a high ethical standard.”
“No one is above the law,” he said. “The actions of council member Bartlett were un-
professional, inappropriate, and not reflective of the council. I commend Officer Cole on her professionalism in handling the incident.”
Bartlett, who represents District 3 in south Berkeley, was pulled over just after noon on July 19 for allegedly running a red light on eastbound Ashby Avenue onto northbound Martin Luther King Jr. Way
“So that was a red light ... not safe at all,” Cole can be heard telling Bartlett in the audio tape.
After identifying himself as a councilman and apologizing, Bartlett told the officer he was in a hurry to make it to a ceremony for Berkeley Councilman Kriss Worthington.
He also said, “I love you guys, you guys took care of a problem in my district.”
After the exchange in which Cole told Bartlett he cannot submit his driver’s license and insurance proof until later, there was a pause of silence.
“I understand you are who you are,” she said.
Bartlett then brought up his support for the police labor contract.
“OK, I appreciate that,” she said.
Cole cited Bartlett with a “fix-it” ticket for not having a driver’s license in his possession and gave him a “break” on the red light and missing insurance. Bartlett still voiced his disappointment before mentioning his support of raising police wages.
“Sir, don’t make this personal, it’s not,” Cole said.
“It is personal,” Bartlett replied.
Cole told the council member to “drive careful” at the end of the recording.
Bartlett was contrite in an interview Friday with The Chronicle, saying he was “deeply, deeply” offended by his behavior in hindsight.
“I’m incredibly sorry,” he said of the incident. “I’m embarrassed, and I feel sorry for the officer, feel sorry for my family and feel sorry for the community.”
A spokesman for the Berkeley Police Department declined comment on the matter and referred all questions to the city.
City Communications Director Matthai Chakko said the officer handled herself “very professionally and very respectfully” throughout the incident.
“She was focused on making sure that the driver knew that their behavior was dangerous and repeated that several times,” he said.
Representatives from the Berkeley Police Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Chakko said it’s standard for traffic officers to use their discretion in determining whether to hand out a ticket or let the driver off with a warning.
“A traffic officer has different components to their job,” he said. “Education and enforcement are two separate but important parts of their work.”
On Friday, Bartlett said he hopes others learn from his behavior and that it will serve as a reminder to “keep your best self in control of you despite whatever stress you’re in.”
“It’s what we all need to learn and I’ve re-learned it,” Bartlett said. “And I’m deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart.”