People tend to hold law enforcement officers to a higher standard of conduct than regular civilians. This is not without merit since police officers are charged with the safety and welfare of community residents as well as enforcing the law. However, police officers are people too, subject to the same faults that sometimes plague other individuals. One police chief in New Jersey was recently arrested under suspicion of DWI and other charges.
Incident and arrest
The incident that led to the chief’s arrest occurred on April 22, 2022 in Bordentown Township. The accused was a 23-year veteran with the force, and he was reportedly found lying in the middle of the street with his pants down. There was also a wet spot on the pavement near his pickup truck’s back tire, and officers apparently surmised that he had urinated on the tire before collapsing to the ground.
Reports of the chief’s alleged drunk driving came from a call from a concern citizen who reportedly witnessed the man’s pickup truck traveling erratically and almost striking a mailbox. The witness purportedly followed the truck and reported that she saw the truck stop and the driver lying on the ground. Police bodycam footage shows officers trying to communicate with the 46-year-old man who reportedly had no idea what was happening to him or even that he had been driving. He was taken into custody on a variety of charges, including drunk driving, reckless driving and others.
Legal repercussions and defense
The chief was placed on restricted duty by the police department, but nothing else was mentioned regarding the criminal charges he faces. Considering all that is at stake, he will want to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in New Jersey as he prepares to face the charges. A lawyer will carefully analyze all evidence regarding the traffic stop and arrest and fight aggressively to help the police chief pursue the best outcome possible.