January 8, 2010 in City

Sheriff’s lieutenant suspected of DUI

Jody Lawrence-Turner The Spokesman-Review

Tags:Spokane County Sheriff’s OfficeStephen D. Jones

Courtesy of Spokane County Sheriff's Office photo

Undated Spokane County Sheriff’s Office photo of Lt. Stephen P. Jones.
(Full-size photo)

A Spokane County sheriff’s lieutenant with 25 years on the job was arrested in a suspected drunken driving crash early Friday.

Liberty Lake police responded to a 911 call about 1:30 a.m. that a sport utility vehicle had rolled near Third and Molter Road and a power pole was blocking the roadway, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Lt. Stephen P. Jones, who was driving a Lincoln Navigator, appeared intoxicated at the scene, so the Washington State Patrol was called in, officials said. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for a gash to his head, and consented to give blood for the drunken driving investigation.

Test results are expected in 30 days, said WSP Trooper Troy Briggs. At that time, a decision will be made on whether to file charges.

The collision knocked out power to eight Avista customers for more than six hours, and the 45-foot pole had to be replaced, Avista officials said.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich was in Atlanta, Ga., at a law enforcement convention when he heard the news.

“I was shocked and disappointed,” Knezovich said. “He’s a pretty rock-solid employee.”

Sheriff’s policy spells out what Jones could face should he be convicted of drunken driving.

“It’s an automatic 40-hour suspension and mandatory alcohol treatment,” Knezovich said. “A second DUI is a termination.”

Jones has held a variety of positions with the sheriff’s office. At one point, he was the equivalent of an assistant chief for the Spokane Valley Police Department, Reagan said.

Jones is currently in an administrative position doing special projects, and he supervises the sheriff’s reserve program, explorers program and school resource deputies, Reagan said. Because Jones is not working in patrol, no immediate change in his work status is planned.

His annual salary is about $108,000, Reagan said. If convicted, it would be his first offense, officials said.

“The first DUI should be a wake-up call for everybody,” Knezovich said. “Law enforcement faces a lot of stressors. When they mix that with alcohol, there can be problems.

“In an incident like this, we should do everything we can to get them resources they need right away.”

Spokane Police and Washington State Patrol handle similar situations on a case-by-case basis, officials said. The lieutenant’s arrest comes on the heels of Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick’s decision to fire Sgt. Brad Thoma for a hit-and-run while driving drunk.

Gary Redmond was the last deputy fired from the sheriff’s office for drunken driving. Former Sheriff Mark Sterk fired him in 2001 after he received his third DUI. That same year, two other deputies were arrested for drunken driving.

Redmond is now chief of the Reardan Police Department.

44 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

spokanada on January 08 at 1:00 p.m.
oh oh, here we go again.
liarsinnews on January 08 at 1:44 p.m.
Here`s mud in your eye.
Pat O'Leary on January 08 at 2:14 p.m.
Just as well let him go now. He obviously suffers from a disability that he has no control over. There’s an attorney named Robert Dunn who specializes in DUI disability claims. He probably can get $2 or $3 million out of the county for ignoring this chronic problem.
PhiltheBibliophil on January 08 at 2:25 p.m.
I”ve lived in many places, but have been in and out of Spokane for 40 years. I am sure that Spokane has many fine officers who faithfully execute their duties and keep us safe on a daily basis. BUT - Spokane seems to have an extraordinary amount of these type of incidents. Maybe its something in the Water?
jchrist1 on January 08 at 2:27 p.m.
I would like to know if the officer was arrested and booked as would anyone else given the circumstances that the Review reported. He is on special duty. Because he is a cop ? He should be held more accountable than the normal public.
Gato on January 08 at 2:33 p.m.
The article says he was arrested. It also says he was already on special duty.
Since he wasn’t on duty at the time, is this such a huge deal? Yeah, he shouldn’t break the law, but I know I’m in no position to cast the first stone, jchrist1.
spokanada on January 08 at 2:37 p.m.
YES it is a huge deal. It is his job to protect the citizens of Spokane County. Just because he is off the clock doesn’t mean he can drink and drive. We teach our kids to look up to police officers. Jones is a disgrace and should be fired from the force.
laughgirl07 on January 08 at 2:44 p.m.
Well, it would seem that he made a pretty bad decision. He should be held to the same consequences as the rest of us, regardless of his employment.
Although, I would hate to see this ruin his career. He is probably sick over what he has done. Hit him hard with consequences but do not fire the guy.
If anyone that has NEVER made a mistake can be the only people of power or authority….heck, then everyone in politics should be working at McDonalds.
laughgirl07 on January 08 at 2:46 p.m.
Spokanada…You are correct in sayiing we teach kids to look up to officers but….we should also be teaching our kids that they should model their lives from a high power…Yep, God.
Officers has a duty to act appropriately. But sometimes when off duty. They become human too.
spokanada on January 08 at 2:50 p.m.
What does god have to do with this? I don’t like to lie to my kids.
flutieflakes on January 08 at 2:53 p.m.
C’mon coppers, I’m trying to give you guys the benefit of the doubt, but you guys just keep f’n up. DUI’s suddenly look a lot worse when coupled with the dumb stunts other cops have pulled, even if the crime, in itself, isn’t that horrid.
That being said, 108 Grand to organize the minutemen and fake cop cars that drive around schools scaring away budsmokers and graffiti artists. That’s one hell of a gig, bet he doesn’t want to lose that…
laughgirl07 on January 08 at 2:55 p.m.
Who asked you to lie to your kids? If you are teaching your kids to look up to someone worthy of looking up to….your best bet is God.
Maybe you dont believe in God. So, don’t lie to your kids. Tell them that people are human and make mistakes. View their mistakes and try to learn something from it. In addition, treat others with compassion and forgiveness.
Im sure you have great kids and I think its great you dont lie to them. Too many people do.
westside on January 08 at 3:03 p.m.
Salary”$108,000” no wonder Spok county is bankrupt….if he makes this much the lower guys are pulling in around 50-75 k a year..and only couple of years on job. Don’t feel sorry for Ozzies buch..over paid
Orange on January 08 at 3:33 p.m.
Oh man, this one is going to be interesting.
Bye bye Lt. Jones. I think Securitas is hiring. They only pay 12 bucks an hour though. Good news, they have walking patrols. Sorry, they won’t let you ride your bike.
Liberty_Bell on January 08 at 3:54 p.m.
In Washington State, we have many Felons, driving around with badges and guns.
Washington State Supreme Court “I’s perfectly legal”
The County points to criminal statutes that prohibit anyone from knowingly
making false statements to public servants or obstructing law enforcement officers,
5 The duties listed in RCW 36.28.010 include arresting persons guilty of public offenses,
executing warrants and orders of the courts, preserving the peace, and defending the
County against those who endanger public safety.
6 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S. Ct. 1194, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963).
9
Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild v. Kitsap County
80720-5
RCW 9A.76.175 and 9A.76.020, and those that prohibit public officers from
knowingly making false statements in an official report or statement or committing
misconduct, RCW 42.20.040 and 9A.80.010. However, these statutes do not provide
an explicit, well defined, and dominant public policy prohibiting the reinstatement of
any officer found to violate these statutes. Examples of explicit, well defined, and
dominant public policies in comparable cases in other states include a statute
prohibiting individuals who have committed felonies from serving as police officers,
City of Boston v. Boston Police Patrolmen’s Ass’n, 443 Mass. 813, 820, 824 N.E.2d
855 (2005) (vacating an arbitration award that reinstated a police officer who had
falsely arrested two people and lied under oath about the arrests, classifying the
officer’s behavior as “felonious”); and the affirmative duty under federal statute to
prevent sexual harassment by law enforcement officers, City of Brooklyn Center v.
Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., 635 N.W.2d 236, 242-44 (Minn. App. 2001)
(vacating an arbitration award that reinstated a police officer who had a long history of
stalking and sexual harassment while on duty). Washington has no similar statute
prohibiting persons found to be untruthful from serving as officers or placing an
affirmative duty on counties to prevent police officers from ever being untruthful.
Courts in other states have upheld similar arbitration decisions reinstating
officers when there is no explicit, well defined, and dominant public policy against
10
Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild v. Kitsap County
80720-5
reinstatement, even when reinstatement would likely be contrary to general public
policy considerations. See City of Highland Park v. Teamster Local Union No. 714,
357 Ill. App. 3d 453, 466, 828, N.E.2d 311, 293 Ill. Dec. 341 (2005)
PlanB on January 08 at 4:07 p.m.
He should have his day in court, just like anyone else. But he isn’t anyone else, and based on what historically happens, he will end up getting some sweetheart deal that isn’t available to most people. And a paid vacation.
But what these incidents point out to me is that we are paying law enforcement officers way too much for what some of them do.
Liberty_Bell on January 08 at 4:13 p.m.
Ever vote Lisa Brown, the perfect example spoken clearly, and on point
“a grave violation”
100 % Affirmed!
Washington State Supreme Court
Brown v Owen, wasting away again in Olympia!
¶37 While serving as the presiding officer of the senate, the lieutenant governor is an officer of the legislative branch. State ex rel. Lemon v. Langlie, 45 Wn.2d 82, 98, 273 P.2d 464 (1954). It is beyond the power of the legislature to rule that a law it has enacted is unconstitutional. Wash. State Farm Bureau, 162 Wn.2d at 303-04 (“’[T]he legislature is precluded by the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers from making judicial determinations.’” (alteration in original) (quoting O’Brien, 85 Wn.2d at 271)). Owen acted properly by declining to decide the constitutionality of RCW 43.135.035(1) and did not exceed his authority or abuse his discretion by ruling on a point of order consistent with RCW 43.135.035(1). Because we find the duties at issue are discretionary and find no abuse of discretion, we hold that a writ of mandamus would be improper.
IV. CONCLUSION
¶38 This original action is improperly before this court on application for a writ of mandamus and is a nonjusticiable political question. Intervention of this court into an intrahouse dispute over a parliamentary ruling to compel the president of the senate to perform a discretionary duty would be a grave violation of separation of powers. We dismiss the action.
ALEXANDER, C.J., and C. JOHNSON, MADSEN, SANDERS, CHAMBERS, OWENS, J.M. JOHNSON, and STEPHENS, JJ., concur.
Liberty_Bell on January 08 at 4:34 p.m.
PhiltheBibliophil,
The State Motto!
“Its the Water, but not alot more.” Olympia Brewery, Tumwater
SAY WA!
misjustice on January 08 at 4:43 p.m.
Quote: “”spokanada on January 08 at 2:37 p.m.
YES it is a huge deal. It is his job to protect the citizens of Spokane County. Just because he is off the clock doesn’t mean he can drink and drive. We teach our kids to look up to police officers. Jones is a disgrace and should be fired from the force.”“
First: spokanada should go back to Canada. They NEVER have a good thing to say about Spokane or any of the citizens that live here. Therefore I don’t know why they stay around.
Second: Pat O’Leary is another that NEVER has anything good to say about anyone.
Third: I’d like to see any of you that are complaining about the officers to get out there, be a target each & every night/day with the kooks with guns, drunks, interfere with domestic violence cases, murders, kids hit by drunk drivers, etc, etc, etc. You can’t pay me enough to put my life on the line every time I walk out of the house or just be sitting having coffee before going to work & get gunned down. There are nuts out there that like to run down anything an officer does.
Fourth: Officers are just like anyone else. He was arrested (Nope he didn’t get an officer to drive him home & let this go.), his reputation is being slammed & he just probably will lose his job (which most people wouldn’t have to contend with). He will have his day in court & unless me or you are on his jury, our opinions really don’t matter on how he should be punished.
Liberty_Bell on January 08 at 4:44 p.m.
Of course never forget the new Executive Director of the Washington State Sheriff’s and Police Chief’s ???
Don Pierce, ran out of Bellingham and headed East?
They actually missed a certain inaleinable fact in this report.
Ex-police chief resigns from team when asked about Boise scandal
Don Pierce
Related stories
Otto Zehm

Thomas Clouse and Mike Prager
Staff writers
July 28, 2006
The outside investigation into the Spokane Police Department’s controversial handling of two high-profile cases will be conducted by a law enforcement service group from Olympia and a Kentucky-based consulting firm.
But a lead member of the review team, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Executive Director Don Pierce, withdrew Thursday after questions arose over the circumstances surrounding his 2004 departure from the Boise Police Department.
Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession said he didn’t know that Pierce resigned under pressure from his job as Boise police chief following a mayoral corruption scandal. Pierce had overseen an initial investigation that found no criminal wrongdoing by former Boise Mayor Brent Coles, who later pleaded guilty to misusing public funds after the Idaho Attorney General’s office took over the case.
Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch said Pierce has a “sterling reputation” and that the contentious political fallout from his tenure in Boise was irrelevant.
“It doesn’t diminish his ability to look into this,” Lynch, responding to questions from Spokesman-Review reporters, said of Pierce. “It has no bearing.”
But an hour later, Hession announced through a spokeswoman that Pierce would no longer be part of the review team.
“Following media questions about his service in Boise, Pierce determined that he would not participate but allow others from WASPC to handle the review to avoid any distraction surrounding this important issue for Spokane,” said Marlene Feist.
Pierce couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
Feist quoted him as saying, “This isn’t about me. It’s about doing what’s best for Spokane.”
Yea like Don Pierce, and his Department down in Seattle at the United States District Court, under that Ku Klux Act Case from Bellingham too???
Troubling 1st Amendment for Don, cost the City of Bellingham Millions, but that what happens when you hire the handicapped!
And you ought to study Pierces Associates in Olympia?
Most should have went to jail years ago!
lewis8457 on January 08 at 6:02 p.m.
a police officer should know better then to drive drunk. plain and simple. They do because they get away with it.
He will be back at work Monday morning protecting kids from drunk drivers………..
Gramma give me 108 grand a year and i will do his job and then some, and i will BE SOBER!
Shylock13 on January 08 at 6:11 p.m.
I have lived in urban areas of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Maryland. None of those urban areas, individually or together, had anywhere near the problems with law enforcement personnel that the Spokane area seems to have. I wonder why the Spokane area law enforcement personnel seem to ignore the law so often, and why they so often are exonerated.
D Statler on January 08 at 8:23 p.m.
Don’t worry Spokanites ! This fine drunken officer will fit right in with Spokane’s corrupt detectives.Chief Kirkpatric already has one hit and run offer out there.I’m sure a promotion for this fine officer is in order too.Maybe he can retire from the force early with a bogus lawsuit. I am sorry GRAMMA for seeming so sour about this. If Spokane’s police and justice system acted as they should,people like myself and other life long Spokanites wouldn’t despise them so much.They do whatever they want.Take what they want.Beat who they want.Prosecute who they want and how they want.Make deals with very dangerous people when it suits their best interests.Change, manipulate and mishandle evidence.13 prosecutors coercing a judge.Sending three innocent young men to prison,fully knowing they didn’t commit the crimes.High speed chases thru residential neighborhoods.TAZERING cows to death.
I think we should fire all Police,Detectives,Prosecutors and screen some Judges.Then take our tax dollars,buy and distribute guns to all homeowners.Encourage them to shoot first and ask questions later.We will accomplish real justice and have less embarrassments and lawsuits against the people of Spokane.This is getting REAL REDICULOUS!!!
ps. Thanks for ruining my and my son’s lives while the guilty party is laughing at the system that let him out on a sweet deal
jchrist1 on January 08 at 8:23 p.m.
As I am not sure about the laws in Washington I can only relate them as to Idaho. When someone is “arrested” for DUI they are booked into jail and if it is their first offence then they are able to bail. Normally this takes at least a few hours after the booking. My point was that if he was treated differently than anyone else then there is a problem. I have the greatest respect for our protectors. I would not want their positions either. However, the officer wasn’t “drafted” to provide this service. He asked for it and knew what the job entailed. Therefore he is responsible for his actions and must pay the penaltities as would any of us civilians.
gyrusx on January 08 at 8:40 p.m.
“…. consented to give blood for the drunken driving investigation.
Test results are expected in 30 days….”
Blood alcohol results in 30 days? So he will get a $4500.00 check every 2 weeks for sitting at home while the “test” results come back. Once the results are back, there will be an “investigation” and then a decision, likely several more paychecks.
If he was drunk and he crashed, is all this necessary?
It would make more sense if he is made to do scutwork during the “administrative leave”.
D Statler on January 08 at 9:00 p.m.
Looks like when the cats away the mice will play! LOL OZZIE is on a paid trip with benefits to Atlanta during a budget crisis.He states “this is one of our most solid employees”.He isn’t saying much about the quality of our Police force is he? November is coming friends.Time to clean house in the Police and Prosecutors office starting at the top.We as voters can straighten this mess out once and for all !
THEBONES on January 08 at 9:52 p.m.
join your local militia and stop these crimes in there tracks. Uphold your constitutional rights to protect you , your family and your property. and to civil arrest crime when you see it happening. your second ammnd. right is there YOU just need to use it. LOOK IT UP AND READ IT!! this man should be held accountable just like any other citizen. or the punk that breaks into your house and assaults your wife and kids. SHOOT them on the spot. The wont tell you why the seattle shooter went after 4 police officers but they will tell you about how they caught him and killed him. Soon there is going to be a revolution and i hope you are all on the side of the people of the united states of america. united states malitia loc. 106
BONES BRIGADE support your local troops
axe on January 08 at 9:53 p.m.
Bin Drinkin and Bin Driving. Heck with Bin Lawden.
Ryan didn;t like my post.
KXLY web site. Much better news/details.
THEBONES on January 08 at 9:54 p.m.
UNITED STATES MILITIA 106
BONES BRIGADE
THEBONES on January 08 at 10:00 p.m.
and i agree undoo ly prosecuted very good point sir
misjustice on January 08 at 10:17 p.m.
Well Screwball, If you could be hired by the police force & make 108 a year, then why not do so?
Noooo. You probably can’t be hired, for what ever reason, or it’s just better for you to sit back & complain about the officers that do step up to protect us.
spokanada on January 08 at 11:22 p.m.
Gramma seems a little grumpy tonight. I came from Canada. Where did you ancestors come from? Maybe you should go back to your homeland.
THEBONES on January 09 at 1:12 a.m.
yipes gramma should look up the new law obama put in about interpol arresting united states citizens , you and this new world order will get along just fine. and for those of you who dont know about it look up the new executive order obama just signed. it allows foriegn officers to arrest and detain american citizens on our soil. with there laws. look it up and read it. …..hope our constitution holds out . pray for american rights and civil liberties. amen. ……oh and bust all these dirty cops that say there job is so hard. ive done it and i didnt by into the indoctrination that everybody is bad and is a criminal that needs to be locked up . AMERICAN MILITIA LOCAL 106. BONES BRIGADE
JOIN YOUR LOCAL MILITIA stop crime when you see it
biasedopinion on January 09 at 8:36 a.m.
undooly_prosecuted on January 08 at 8:23 p.m.
“ps. Thanks for ruining my and my son’s lives while the guilty party is laughing at the system that let him out on a sweet deal”
undooly_prosecuted on January 08 at 9:00 p.m.
“November is coming friends.Time to clean house in the Police and Prosecutors office starting at the top.We as voters can straighten this mess out once and for all !”
Your previous post would indicate that your life was “ruined”. However, you then refer to voting.
Since your voting rights are apparently not affected I am curious to how “ruined” your life really is? Little overly dramatic for effect?
lewis8457 on January 09 at 9:45 a.m.
Gramma you are right i most likely cant get hired by the coppers, i am 52 years old and have a bad back. But if i was able i could do their job, and do it SOBER. That is the key word here S O B E R
The issue here is another drunk cop getting justice the private sector never sees. this is about a double standard we have in our city. a standard that says if i get drunk and drive i will go to jail, lose my license, go to court to clear my name after paying a lawyer 5 grand. while on the other hand a copper can drive drunk get in wreck and that is it. no jail, no license loss, no lawyer and courts. Does that seem fair to you. if it does may be you should get a job with the police guild.
D Statler on January 09 at 9:51 a.m.
Good Morning Biasedopinion, to answer your question: Yes I can / do vote! Let me turn this around and ask how good you would be doing if your son,nephew and childhood friend were setting in prison on appeal for charges that all three had alibi defenses for.Next let me ask you how you would feel if the public defenders office in Spokane sent a hungover drunk to the County jail to represent them? Next how would you feel if the prosecutors office show up in court 13 strong to coerce judge Eitzen into a wrong decision?Next how would you as a taxpayer feel about standing in line at the jail being treated like dirt when the dirty detectives walk by? Next how would you feel if a jury of my pears came back guilty on the testimony/descriptions of a snitch that was completely different than the victims testimony? Next,how would you feel if your son was sentenced to 20 years more than a murderer and nobody was injured? Next how would you feel if one of the real offenders wrote you a letter and later testified that your son was not involved and he and the States witness conspired while housed together at Spokane County Jail to frame my son and the prosecutors knew about it and failed to do the right thing? Next how would you feel if six months have passed since an appeal was filed and the Spokane County Clerk has not sent proper documents to the appeals attourneys? Next how would you feel driving all the way over to Clallam Bay on Christmas eve to spend Christmas with your innocent son in prison? How is my life ruined you ask? Overdramatic even? I have and will share all this information and documentation with anyone that can help us. I hope this sheds alittle light on my last two years and probably near and hopefully not distant future. These people we pay to see this kind of stuff doesn’t happen are failing miserably. We all need to vote in November!
biasedopinion on January 09 at 11:49 a.m.
undooly….you HAVE peaked my interest. Do you mind saying who your son is and what crime he was convicted of?
I’d be interested in reading previous coverage.
jchrist1 on January 09 at 1:37 p.m.
I am amazed by the diversity of the remarks. Everyone should have the right to be heard. Everyone should have the right to plead the case or cause. The problem, as I see it, is that there are persons out there that would not allow you to do either. If Mr. Undooly’s son is indeed innocent then he has a right and an obligation to persue the matter. More power to him! If the “authorities”, and I use the term loosely, have fabricated evidence or shown not to be trustworthy, in any manner, then they should be made to pay for their actions. NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE NOR THEIR POSITION. If DUI charges against the officer are truthful and he is found guilty then he should be made to account for those actions. If the Sheriff’s department cut him slack because he is an officer then the person(s) in the department should be made to pay for their actions.
I do not condone a militia, as some have set forth in these posts. I, and I am positive others, do not have sufficient knowledge of the law to pronounce that someone should be arrested UNLESS I see, with my own eyes the crime and know it to be a crime. If I force the citizen’s arrest and I am found wrong then I should be forced to pay dearly for MY mistake. The same is true of the authorities. If they are wrong in their accusations and are found such then they should be made to pay dearly for their accusations. This would include ALL public servants such as the police, District Attorney, judges and all local and state and federal representatives. Boy that would stop a lot of the crap that happens. This was if Mr. Undooly’s boy is charged wrongly, just because they can, then they must be fired, fined, and banished from all future service.
All crap cases the lawyers and by association, police, contrive would be questioned in a better manner. Also, remarks made by our political representatives would have to be substantiated. Or they would have to pay the price. Would teach our representatives to be sure about what they are saying.
A militia could be a great thing! But an armed force of persons no knowing what they are doing is just as unagreeable as an armed force of non-law abiiding officials. Only they get away with it because of their protections.
D Statler on January 09 at 6:18 p.m.
good evening Biasedopinion, go to the search bar of the Spokesman and type Statler. There were over twenty articles published in the review.Please read all the way back.The kids were charged with multiple robberies that were dismissed,thrown out or aquitted in court. You can see how messed up things can be in our system. I will listen to anybody’s advice on this one. ThankYou 435-7718
David3505 on January 11 at 8:07 a.m.
HEY JONES, YOU TOO ARE GOING TO LOSE YOUR JOB, BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN SUE.
Chopper on January 13 at 1:03 p.m.
30 Days to get the results????
They stopped my son and took him directly to Jail —DO NOT PASS GO__AND DO NOT COLLECT $200.
He does not go jail and collects a paycheck!!!!!
Sound fair to y’all????????????????????
irishmike on January 13 at 5:17 p.m.
…oops.
D Statler on January 14 at 3:29 a.m.
Hopefully the powers that be will be reading this.Remember to vote in November!
nuts4goats on February 04 at 5:01 p.m.
The blood-alcohol results will be out in just a few days. No doubt the Lieutenant will be back on patrol shortly. As of now, he’s a $108K desk jockey. The odds of him being fired are slim, as this is only his first DUI. The odds of him shooting an innocent citizen are considerably higher… being an alcoholic coming off a month of desk duty.
When he IS eventually fired, there are no lack of other Police Departments that will hire him… along with a promotion and pay increase, of course.
To Protect and Swerve. Way to go, guys!