Police Chief sends written apology, reprimands officer for actions in incident posted on YouTubev

After an outburst during which he shouted profanities at a citizen, Sidney Police officer Scott Tobler is being disciplined by the department. In addition, a written reprimand has been placed in his file.

Acting Police Chief Joseph Aikens also issued a written apology to Sidney resident Stephen Bell.

The highly publicized incident took place the night of June 21. During a traffic stop, Officer Tobler directed explicatives in a raised voice at Bell, who caught the scene on camera and posted it on YouTube.

It has since tallied more than 34,000 views.

The altercation began when Bell continued to drive back and forth, past a crime scene, after Tobler had asked him to leave. Bell parked around the corner from the crime scene and Tobler again asked Bell to move on. The two argued and Tobler temporarily lost his composure. The incident has been the topic of heated debate both online and in the Sidney community.

"After an internal investigation, it has been my determination that Officer Tobler acted in an unprofessional and discourteous manner towards you," said Police Chief Joseph Aikens, in the letter to Bell.

The letter was distributed to media outlets by the Sidney Police Department.

Aikens apologized to Bell personally in the document, on behalf of Tobler and the city of Sidney. Aikens also apologized to any citizens who were offended by the officer's actions in the video.