Smithfield council member threatens to defund police department in heated body cam footage

VIDEO COURTESY The Logan Herald Journal City Councilor Outburst A local city council member is facing backlash after a heated exchange with police officers, which was all captured on body camera footage. The incident, which occurred on August 3, 2025, has raised serious questions about the council member’s conduct and his stance on the local police department. Smithfield City Council member Ted Stokes is under scrutiny after a tense confrontation with police officers at his home. The officers had responded to a complaint regarding a car crash involving Stokes’ son. While the crash resulted in only minor injuries—a bloody nose—Stokes did not take kindly to the police response. Body camera footage obtained by The Herald Journal shows Stokes threatening to shrink the city’s police force, suggesting that only five officers should remain on the department. He also mocked the officers and criticized their training. “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.” FULL STORY: https://kutv.com/news/local/smithfield-council-member-threatens-to-defund-police-department-in-heated-body-cam-footage #smithfield #councilmember #policedepartment #bodycamera #bodycamerafootage _______________ Hit the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and turn on the notifications to get alerted when the big stories break as we bring them to you live! For all the full stories seen here, go to kutv.com. Follow KUTV 2News on our other social media pages for more photos, videos and reports: Facebook: KUTV2News TikTok: @kutv2news X: @kutv2news Instagram: @kutv2news Threads: @kutv2news Bluesky: @kutv2news.bsky.social If you see something newsworthy happen, or you just witness something incredible, hilarious or adorable, you can send your videos, photos and news tips to kutv.com/chimein. We love sharing our favorites on kutv.com, our social media and our broadcasts! You can also submit tips by email or phone. Email: newsdesk@kutv2.com Call the Newsroom: 801.839.1234 _______________ KUTV is a Utah-based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to nearly 200 television stations in 86 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches close to 40% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates. #kutv #saltlakecity #news #utah