A New Hampshire Democratic state representative’s alleged 107 mph traffic stop has exposed a critical gap in police accountability after the sheriff’s office involved admitted it operates without body cameras or dashboard cameras due to lack of funding.

Constitutional Challenge Over High-Speed Stop

State Representative Ellen Read is challenging two traffic stops by Rockingham County deputies, including one where authorities claim she drove 107 mph. Read invokes a New Hampshire constitutional provision protecting lawmakers from delays while traveling to legislative duties. Without video evidence, the case relies entirely on conflicting accounts between the deputy and the legislator. Major Christopher Bashaw of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the agency lacks funding to purchase either body-worn or dashboard cameras, despite wanting the technology.

Read acknowledged traveling approximately 85 mph and said she would accept a speeding ticket for that speed, but firmly disputes the deputy’s claim of 107 mph and reckless driving charges. She told reporters the absence of cameras prompted her decision to purchase her own dashboard camera. The sheriff’s office incorrectly claimed she recorded the stop on her cellphone, but Read clarified a witness was listening via phone call and later testified in court about what transpired.

Legislative Immunity Question

Legal experts say the centuries-old constitutional provision Read cites was designed to prevent lawmakers from being deliberately delayed en route to legislative sessions, not to provide blanket immunity from traffic enforcement. Lawrence Friedman, a professor at New England Law, said courts are unlikely to grant absolute immunity for moving violations that apply to all citizens. The New Hampshire Supreme Court declined to immediately hear Read’s constitutional challenge, preferring to let the case proceed through trial court first, according to Friedman.

Body Camera Funding Debate

Read maintains she has consistently supported legislation and funding for law enforcement body cameras, and offered to help Rockingham County secure funding in the next state budget. She distinguishes this support from her opposition to what she considers excessive spending on military-grade equipment and expensive vehicles. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement agencies seeking accountability tools and budget constraints preventing their implementation. It remains unclear whether Rockingham County has applied for available state grant programs that could fund body camera purchases for deputies.