[LTDUT]

Utah’s top DUI cop cited for DUI
Commander of Highway Patrol drunken driving unit reportedly blows 0.12

(AP)

SALT LAKE CITY - The commander of the Utah Highway Patrol's drunken driving unit has been cited for driving under the influence of alcohol after crashing his cruiser into a concrete barrier, authorities said.

Lt. Fred Swain veered off the shoulder of a highway in Draper early June 23, overcorrected and hit the barrier that separates the lanes, Lt. Doug McCleve said Thursday.

Swain said he fell asleep at the wheel, but officers suspected he had been drinking, said Draper police Sgt. Scott Peck. Swain refused to submit to a breathalyzer test until two patrol captains talked to him, Peck said.

The test showed that Swain's blood-alcohol level was nearly 0.12 percent, Peck said. Utah's legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Swain was placed on paid administrative leave while the patrol conducts an internal investigation.

Contacted by KSL-TV on Thursday, Swain said it was not in his best interest to comment.

Draper police investigated the incident. It's common for law enforcement agencies to ask another agency to investigate incidents involving their own personnel. Draper is about 19 miles south of Salt

 

[Great White]

Just goes to show ya,

Cops are just people too. Suceptable to all humanities faults.

The guys definatley in the wrong, no disputing that.

But maybe his wife left him that day, maybe he's dealing with PTSD after shooting someone or seeing something horrible on the job, maybe he's just an alcoholic.

Or maybe, just maybe, he had a moment of poor judgement that we are all subject too.

I'd need more details before condemming the guy. That's why they have investigations. To find out why.

He will probably pay for his mistake with his career.

BJ

 

[LTDUT]

Hey great white, this isnt a bashing him thread. I do think that he made some poor judgements, most of all drinking in a patrol car and wrecking my tax dollars into the barrier. I just find the idea that he is the top DUI officer getting a ticket funny, because of the pushes they have done lately here about DUI's. I wonder if he will get a new Charger if they slap him on the wrist???

 

[Great White]

Just for the record, I didn't think you were "bashing" anyone.

I do think that he made some poor judgements, most of all drinking in a patrol car and wrecking my tax dollars into the barrier.

no arguement there. Except I would say he exhibited gross negligence instead of poor judgement. There may be a reason why he was intoxicated on the job, but there can be no excuse for it. My job dictates that I cannot consume alcohol 12 hrs before going "on shift". I've had allot of crap go on in my life lately, but have never broken this rule. I don't have alot of sympathyfor someonewho carries a loaded weapon (not to mention driving one) while under the influence.
he'll probably loose his job over it.
Sad, but that's life.
Some positions require that you exhibit a "mature" attitude about such things. I guess he didn't.

Cheers

BJ

 

[LTDUT]

It doesn't matter any more, the cop resigned.

so there we have it. I accidently did a double post

I think that is the part personally that scared me about the whole thing, loaded gun, loaded shot gun, loaded car with lights.....Personally I dont think drinking and guns go together. No matter what situation...