Newly released body camera footage is providing additional insight into the demotion of Todd Roggenkamp, a Mercer Island police officer who was stripped of his sergeant title earlier this year following troubling behavior in 2023.
The footage, obtained by FOX 13, reveals Roggenkamp’s actions during an incident involving a late-night trip to a bar with his wife and a fellow officer. The group had returned to retrieve a lost cell phone, but events quickly escalated.
According to reports, Roggenkamp attempted to use his badge to gain entry into the already-closed establishment. When denied access, he allegedly became confrontational, reportedly challenging a patron and a bartender to a physical altercation. During the dispute, his wife assaulted the bar patron—slapping him and kicking him in the groin.
Following the altercation, the group was stopped by local law enforcement. Bodycam footage shows Roggenkamp disputing the legitimacy of the traffic stop and falsely claiming he was a firefighter. He later admitted to being intoxicated after stumbling over his words. Deputies described him as “very intoxicated,” and despite this, he reportedly drove to King County Jail shortly afterward to demand the release of his wife, who had been arrested for assault.
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The Mercer Island Police Department later confirmed that Roggenkamp was operating a vehicle within an hour of being visibly impaired. The incident prompted his demotion, but rather than terminating his employment, the department entered into a last-chance agreement with Roggenkamp in January 2024.
Public reaction to the footage has been critical. On “The Gee and Ursula Show,” co-host Ursula Reutin questioned why Roggenkamp is still on the force.
“Why does he still have a job?” she asked.
Her co-host Gee Scott responded bluntly: “Because he’s law enforcement, because of police unions, and all the protections that exist for bad cops.”
Scott also reflected on the broader implications of the incident, referencing the historical roots of policing and emphasizing how body cameras now hold officers more accountable.
The Criminal Justice Training Commission is currently investigating the matter to determine if further action is warranted.
