Spokane7
58°
August 21, 2010 in City
Chism arrested on suspicion of DUI
Firefighter Todd Chism was arrested early today on a suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Chism was stopped about 2 a.m. after he allegedly drove the wrong way on Ash Street near Euclid Avenue, according to the Spokane Police Department. Chism was cited and released.
The Spokane Fire Department lieutenant was arrested in April after a confrontation with Washington State Patrol troopers near his Stevens County home that possibly was fueled by alcohol. He was placed on an “unpaid layoff” status after the incident, and he faces felony assault charges in Stevens County. That case is pending.
Chism was exonerated in 2008 after WSP wrongly arrested him in connection with a child pornography case. He sued WSP, and has appealed a judge’s ruling dismissing the suit.
Sex trafficking suspects released as probe continues 
Shylock13 on August 21 at 6:44 p.m.
Why is he still ripping off taxpayer dollars?
west on August 21 at 7:05 p.m.
He is ripping off tax payers ($94,000 a year), because fireman are a sacred cow in the city. Good ole boys are working overtime, right Verner??
monkeyman on August 21 at 7:13 p.m.
Spokane would be so boring without this man who wants to be in the news so badly. His lone efforts have given us three major stories in 2 years.
I think he deserve an honor from the city and its citizens. Or perhaps he can get a book deal after working on a few more “stories”.
BTW, this story is the least spicy yet. Looks like he didn’t get to beat any policemen this time. Or may be the police don’t want to admit that they got beaten up again… :)
monkeyman on August 21 at 7:19 p.m.
@ west: Firemen and policemen (and policewomen) are heroes. They deserve to have their salaries doubled every year. How can anybody sensible argue against that?
Nugget on August 21 at 7:28 p.m.
I am the parent of 2 deputy sheriff’s & you couldn’t pay me enough to put up with the people they have to deal with EVERY DAY!
Forty or fifty thousand a year (most make less than that) isn’t enough to get spit on, shot at, knocked over, beat up, disrespected & the target of every nut case out there!!!
On the Chism story. Did anyone ever wonder why you didn’t hear anything about him until the state police decided he broke the law with child porn? His reputation has been ruined as well as those of his wife & children. He may have been exonerated, but not by those that live near them, go to school with them, etc. People still suspect him of doing the horrible things he was accused of.
So, I can’t say that I blame him for drinking. I just blame him for doing it & driving.
Nugget on August 21 at 7:31 p.m.
Also, Bear & West. The man has been suspended, without pay, until he goes to court. So how is he ripping off the tax payers?
reservedparking on August 21 at 7:33 p.m.
@ Ted Bear: Note the story says UNPAID layoff status, thus he is not ‘ripping off’ anyone.
TIme to clean off the ol’ reading glasses?
Diana on August 21 at 8:02 p.m.
So from now on, can wrong-way DUI drivers ask for the “Chism treatment”?
hcamper on August 21 at 9:31 p.m.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Got a bunch of people jumping to conclusions here.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on August 21 at 10:16 p.m.
Likely won’t ever get forwarded to our Prosecutor’s office to be brought to trial….: or if it does it will likely be not charged and pursued to determine guilt or innocence…wondering what he “blew” on the breath test?? .)) j
booksandcoffee on August 22 at 4:08 a.m.
Oh goody - he’s at it again. Somebody needs to man up and get his butt to a AA meeting instead of blaming other people for the problems HE’s causing before he drives wrong way up the wrong street (or hillside) and finally hurts or kills somebody. NO EXCUSE for drinking and driving.
myaffliction on August 22 at 10:32 a.m.
What is wrong with some of you people backing this guy?
He is a city paid employee, representing the city of spokane who has been in the paper three times in the last two years for displaying unacceptable behavior.
Child porn? Busted twice for drinking and driving? Fighting with Police?
Fire him on the spot!!
There are many people out there that would be more than willing and able to do his job without acting like an idiot, adding yet another black mark on police and fire and causing the city all this drama. I’m tired of hearing his name and having my tax dollar pay for idiots like this guy. FIRE HIM!!!
misjustice on August 22 at 11:10 a.m.
Arrested, AGAIN?
Marie on August 22 at 12:14 p.m.
Gus,
The article says that Chism was cited and released, so he’s already been charged. The City Prosecutor, not Steve Tucker, will handle this case since it’s not a felony and it happened in the city limits.
Diana,
If you would sit through a few DUI first appearance dockets you would discover that there are a number of people who are not firefighters or police officers who are cited and released for DUI. Don’t expect them to “out” themselves, so to speak. It happens more often than you think. Wherther that’s a good idea is another discussion.
Peace!
ChefGus/ John Olsen on August 22 at 2:19 p.m.
Thanks Diana for the clarification… I guess I did not know we had a “City Prosecutor” too… how is that person chosen and by whom?? It would be great to see a list on the Review Web Site every day of all people that are apprehended for DUI… as part of a Police Blotter…. it likely is pubic record… and one that if we were all aware of would help us know our neighbors better… j
Marie on August 22 at 7:11 p.m.
Gus,
I think that the City Prosecutor is appointed by the City Attorney (not sure, though). If you go to the City of Spokane website there is an explanation about what types of cases the office handles.
monkeyman on August 23 at 8:57 a.m.
Guilty or not - shouldn’t he at least loose his driver’s license till it is figured out?
Or do I personally have to make sure I am not in his path while out on the road at night?
bszottlinger on August 25 at 12:00 p.m.
Marie:
DUI is a State Charge = Tucker’s office.
Brad