SALT LAKE CITY — Dakota Midkiff, the police chief of Mantua who is currently on paid administrative leave while officials investigate a controversial arrest that left a 76-year-old man bloodied, has a troubling history of legal issues, having been charged with impersonating a police officer years before taking on the role officially.
In a plea agreement years ago, Midkiff accepted responsibility for a misdemeanor charge related to disturbing the peace, while the more serious impersonation charge was dismissed. However, a man he once wrongfully pulled over in 2013, William Copper, expressed deep concern about Midkiff’s fitness for duty given his past actions and now holds a legitimate badge and firearm.
“I don’t think he’d be a very good police officer,” Copper told FOX 13 in a candid interview. “I think he’s got some serious issues.”
According to the Box Elder Journal, details of Midkiff’s previous conviction resurfaced when he was appointed as Mantua’s police chief back in 2022. Upon being contacted by FOX 13 this week, Midkiff expressed remorse for his past behavior, attributing the incident to his youth.
Records entered into the court file show the Copper encountered Midkiff the night of Oct. 11, 2013, near Oasis, a small northeast Nevada town. Copper asserts he was en route to pick his wife up from work when he was unexpectedly pulled over.
“I got pulled over by a white vehicle,” Copper relayed to FOX 13. “It had red and blue lights on top.”
“Him and his buddy got out of the car,” Copper recounted, “and they walked up, starting to harass me.”
Midkiff, not yet a sworn officer at the time, had previously worked in private security and operated a sedan equipped with a flashing light bar. Copper recalls challenging Midkiff’s authority saying, “I don’t see a badge on you.”
Copper recounts that Midkiff aggressively retorted, “I don’t have to show you an effing badge.”
Moving from provocation to intimidation, Midkiff reportedly warned, “I ought to just shoot you.”
The encounter lasted approximately 30 grueling minutes, before Copper was ultimately released without any charges. “And they said,” Copper recalled, “‘Well, you’re not the guy we’re looking for, so we’re going to have to let you go.’”
Copper did not let the incident slide and reported the encounter to the Elko County Sheriff’s Office. Documentation from the agency indicates that Midkiff attempted to justify the encounter, stating to a real deputy that Copper was speeding and that the sheriff’s office was short-staffed.
Despite the plea deal, which led to a judge sentencing Copper to 48 hours in the Elko County Jail, Utah law permits individuals with misdemeanor convictions to become peace officers, though such history may lead to waiting periods for entry into police training academies. Hiring agencies retain discretion to consider these backgrounds when making employment decisions.
Public records indicate that Midkiff began his career with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office in 2020, transitioned to the Wendover Police Department, and was ultimately hired by Mantua in 2022.
Mantua officials decided to place Midkiff on leave following an alarming incident on October 5, when he responded to a family dispute at the residence of a retired wildlife agent’s daughter. Upon the arrival of the 76-year-old retiree, Midkiff ordered him to leave the premises. After a brief discussion, Midkiff proceeded to arrest the retiree for allegedly failing to obey his commands, which resulted in a physical altercation that left the retiree with a cut on his face and bruises around his eyes.
**Title: Interview with William Copper: A Concerned Citizen Speaks Out on Dakota Midkiff’s Past**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Copper. As you know, Dakota Midkiff, the police chief of Mantua, is currently under investigation for a controversial arrest, and his past has come into the spotlight. You had a personal encounter with him in 2013 when he was not yet a police officer. Could you share what happened during that incident?
**William Copper:** Thank you for having me. Yes, back in October 2013, I was pulled over by a white car with red and blue lights on top. It was Dakota Midkiff and his buddy. They got out of the car and started harassing me. I was just on my way to pick up my wife from work, and I really didn’t understand why I was being stopped.
**Interviewer:** That sounds alarming. How did you react to being pulled over by someone who was not officially a police officer?
**William Copper:** I was confused and concerned. I confronted them because I didn’t see any badge on Midkiff. When I asked him to show me proof that he was an officer, he became aggressive and said something along the lines of “I don’t have to show you anything.” It was clear he was trying to assert authority without having the actual credentials to back it up.
**Interviewer:** With this incident and Midkiff’s past legal troubles now coming to light, what are your thoughts on his fitness to serve as a police officer?
**William Copper:** Honestly, I don’t think he should be a police officer at all. His history of impersonating an officer and then transitioning into the role officially raises serious concerns. He has some issues that I believe make him unfit for duty. People need to feel safe, and I’m not sure he can provide that.
**Interviewer:** Midkiff has publicly expressed remorse for his past actions, stating that they were due to his youth. Do you believe that is enough for someone in his position?
**William Copper:** I don’t think that’s enough. It’s good that he feels remorse, but the issues from his past are serious, especially when it comes to law enforcement. Being a police officer is about protecting and serving the community, and I worry that he hasn’t truly addressed or learned from his past behavior.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your experience and insights. It’s important for the community to hear from those affected in situations like this.
**William Copper:** Thank you for giving me a voice. I hope my story helps others to see the importance of accountability in law enforcement.
