Police Chief Arrested for DUI

[cherplex]

Alexandria police chief arrested for DUI in Arlington
July 26, 2009 - 9:36am

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

ARLINGTON - He has been a cop for 40 years. And now, there's shock and surprise in Alexandria as word spread that their police chief had been arrested.

Chief David Baker faces arraignment Wednesday after drunk driving charges stemming from an accident on North Fairfax Drive near the I-66 ramp in Arlington.

The incident occurred around 11 pm Saturday. Arlington police say Baker's blood alcohol level was .19 percent, more than twice the legal limit to drive.

The driver of the other car was injured in the crash, but has since been released from the hospital.

City Manager James Hartmann says Baker has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation.

"It's very disappointing obviously when any of our colleagues makes a bad decision that comes to a conclusion such as this," Hartman says.

Baker was driving a city-owned car at the time of the crash. He could eventually be fired for this incident.

Hartmann says his office has already started an internal review, which should take about a week.

"We are going to be as transparent as possible during this case," Hartmann said.

In the meantime, Hartmann has appointed Deputy Chief Earl Cook to take over the department.

Cook says Baker has a stellar record of 40 years of police work and that this incident is very disturbing.

"It's important for us to be open and honest with our own members of the force," Cook says. "The reaction has been surprised, as you might might understand, but also very much concerned about the chief."

Source: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1725877

Interesting story what I find even more interesting is the fact that he was driving a city owned vehicle at the time and more than likely armed. I hope he gets treated just like a regular citizen in regards to this case. It looks as though this happened in Fairfax County, VA which is not suprising. How stupid could this chief be, would have been easier to call a friend or a cab.

Discuss.

[caymandive]

Just goes to show that all of the training, experience and sacrifices associated with being a respected police officer can all be undone in a matter of seconds. I too hope he is treated as a regular citizen. As for driving intoxicated in the city owned car i'm kinda thinking that would fall under grounds for termination. Guess we'll see.

[mmarshall]

This took place just a few miles from where I live. In fact, I'm well-familiar with that area (North Fairfax Drive ends and feeds straight ahead into the westbound I-66 ramp).

This is the first time, however, I've ever heard of a Police department arresting either their own Chief or another police chief in a close-by jurisdiction, as in this instance. Arresting other officers in the department, yes....that sometimes happens, but, even on an accident investigation, first, the Chief would have had to agree to a field sobriety test (which is usually not likely), and, second, the officer(s) present would have needed a lot of guts to put on the handcuffs.....even an off-duty police chief often carries department-issued weapons with him or her. You don't do something like that unless you are ready for the ****** to hit the fan.

[cherplex]

Originally Posted by mmarshall

This took place just a few miles from where I live. In fact, I'm well-familiar with that area (North Fairfax Drive ends and feeds straight ahead into the westbound I-66 ramp).

This is the first time, however, I've ever heard of a Police department arresting either their own Chief or another police chief in a close-by jurisdiction, as in this instance. Arresting other officers in the department, yes....that sometimes happens, but, even on an accident investigation, first, the Chief would have had to agree to a field sobriety test (which is usually not likely), and, second, the officer(s) present would have needed a lot of guts to put on the handcuffs.....even an off-duty police chief often carries department-issued weapons with him or her. You don't do something like that unless you are ready for the ****** to hit the fan.

Just goes to show that FFX County PD has no mercy but on the other hand I have no sympathy for this Chief he should have known better.

[mmarshall]

Originally Posted by cherplex

Just goes to show that FFX County PD has no mercy but on the other hand I have no sympathy for this Chief he should have known better.

This location is not in Fairfax County, Cherplex. It is right in the middle of North Arlington.

It is not a question if the chief SHOULD have known better. He DID know better. You usually don't get to be Chief of Police without knowing local and state laws. Most likely, it is just the "Can't-touch-me-because-I-wear-the-stripes" mentality. He couldn't flee from the scene of an accident, though.

[cherplex]

Originally Posted by mmarshall

This location is not in Fairfax County, Cherplex. It is right in the middle of North Arlington.

It is not a question if the chief SHOULD have known better. He DID know better. You usually don't get to be Chief of Police without knowing local and state laws. Most likely, it is just the "Can't-touch-me-because-I-wear-the-stripes" mentality. He couldn't flee from the scene of an accident, though.

I stand corrected

That's true, the chief probably thought he was untouchable. Wonder what the outcome would have been if this happened in his own jurisdiction.

[alexulan]

Christopher Goldsby Walker, 23, of Antioch died when his Chevrolet Camaro slammed into a pole near Palm and Sycamore avenues about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The crash temporarily knocked out power to about 5,400 customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

A witness told police that Walker, who was off-duty third-generation San Francisco sheriff's deputy, and a second driver had been racing east on Palm. The driver of the second car, a BMW, came forward Friday and was interviewed by police

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...#ixzz0MW03WVOL

laws of physics

[xknowonex]

Originally Posted by mmarshall

This took place just a few miles from where I live. In fact, I'm well-familiar with that area (North Fairfax Drive ends and feeds straight ahead into the westbound I-66 ramp).

This is the first time, however, I've ever heard of a Police department arresting either their own Chief or another police chief in a close-by jurisdiction, as in this instance. Arresting other officers in the department, yes....that sometimes happens, but, even on an accident investigation, first, the Chief would have had to agree to a field sobriety test (which is usually not likely), and, second, the officer(s) present would have needed a lot of guts to put on the handcuffs.....even an off-duty police chief often carries department-issued weapons with him or her. You don't do something like that unless you are ready for the ****** to hit the fan.

Yes, it is a career jeopardizing move to arrest your boss but keep in mind that many of his underlings want his job as well...

[1SICKLEX]

He's been a cop for 40 years, I think he needs to retire and move on......at this rate he probably will keep retirement and be forced out.

[mmarshall]

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

He's been a cop for 40 years, I think he needs to retire and move on......at this rate he probably will keep retirement and be forced out.

Move on....but to what? What does the average cop do when he or she retires? Often, just private-security work.........just doing more or less the same line of work, but with a different uniform.

[4TehNguyen]

its going to be harder for him to get away with it. Unless he is a Kennedy of course, it worked for Ted after he killed that lady driving the car in the lake.

[cherplex]

Looks as though he's resigning and retiring effective this friday.

[mmarshall]

Originally Posted by cherplex

Looks as though he's resigning and retiring effective this friday.

He'll probably end up working for a security firm...if he doesn't do jail time first. Local DWI laws here mandate a fine and jail term for twice legal BAC or higher, depending on the circumstances (he was at 0.19.....legal DWI is 0.08)

[1SICKLEX]

Mike after 40 years he needs to retire and let someone younger take that job. Surely after 40 years he has saved some money.

[mmarshall]

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Surely after 40 years he has saved some money.

Looks to me like he's been spending it on booze.