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On March 22, I was driving home from Sandpoint to Blanchard. As I turned near Priest River to take the old highway, Priest River Police Chief Drew McLain pulled me over, saying I had not used my turn signal. It was around 8 p.m., very dark and no one was in sight.

The chief asked for my license and proof of insurance. He also asked if I had been drinking. I told him I had a beer and some pizza about 30 minutes earlier. He told me to get out of the car to take a sobriety test.

I told him that I have two pins in my hip that make standing difficult. I told him the ground was very uneven and that it was hard for me to stand there, but he went ahead with the test.

He told me that I did not pass. He handcuffed me and then searched me. When he finally administered a breathalyzer test, I passed. He took the handcuffs off and told me I was free to go.

I am over 70 years old, hold a commercial driver’s license, and have no citations on my record. I was traumatized, intimidated and humiliated for over an hour. At no time did I give him any reason to handcuff me.

I went to Mayor James L. Martin to voice my concerns, but he told me the police had the right to act as they did. I don’t agree. I think something should be done to prevent Priest River law enforcement from treating others this way.

TIM SIMERAL

Blanchard