Nisswa mayor arrested after profanity-laced confrontation

The mayor of Nisswa plans to fight charges from an arrest that stemmed from a verbal confrontation with police officers.

The profanity-laced encounter was captured on body camera video.

Pequot Lakes police said Nisswa Mayor Fred Heidmann approached officers who were conducting a traffic stop of another vehicle Saturday night on Highway 371 between Baxter and Pequot Lakes. Heidmann left but later returned after the traffic stop had ended.

Police said he was arrested after refusing multiple commands to leave.

Heidmann can be heard on video saying to the Nisswa and Pequot Lakes police officers, "You know that I’m the mayor of this (expletive) town and you guys get the (expletive) off the highway out here."

Both Pequot Lakes Police Chief Eric Klang and Nisswa Police Chief Craig Taylor said they were disappointed by the mayor’s actions. In a statement, Heidmann said he was concerned the traffic stop would give a bad impression to tourists visiting the area.

Heidmann said he will seek to have the obstruction charges dropped, citing freedom of speech.