The Howell Township Police Department is defending one of their officers after backlash over a recent traffic stop involving a couple on their way to a hospital.

Body camera footage from Nov. 14 shows the officer pulling over a man whose wife is in labor in the passenger seat. The stop was initiated near the intersection of Maxim and Old Tavern roads.

Police said the couple from Lakewood was traveling 20 miles over the speed limit on the way to a hospital.

The footage shows that nine minutes go by after the officer returns to his vehicle before he returns with a ticket. He then asks the couple if they would like him to call them an ambulance, but they decline.

The father said his wife gave birth to their baby about 20 minutes after the traffic stop.

Howell police said their officer acted professionally.