Kasich calls police officer an idiot

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Governor John Kasich repeatedly called a police officer an "idiot" in a video his critics are distributing as they fight a bill to strip collective bargaining rights for public employees, including safety forces.

Urging better customer relations at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency last month, Kasich described a 2008 stop along State Route 315 in which he was cited for passing too close to an emergency vehicle. The officer told Kasich he'd face an arrest warrant if he didn't show up in court.

Kasich said: "He's an idiot. You just can't act that way."

The Ohio Democratic Party and Fraternal Order of Police painted Kasich's statements as disrespectful of union workers.

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols says the governor respects the important work of law enforcement officers and regrets his poor choice of words.