Louisiana police officer fired following drunk driving claim

It seems that the news is filled with negative reports about police officers these days. Police departments in various areas of the country are left facing a public image crisis that can quickly lead to national scrutiny. As a result, departments may be hasty to separate themselves when an officer faces criminal accusations. For example, an officer in Louisiana was recently terminated after she was accused of drunk driving.

The incident that led to her arrest allegedly happened in March. According to reports, the 35-year-old served as the public information officer for a Louisiana police department. She is said to have driven her police car to a bar, but the bar was closed. The owner of the bar assumed that the police car was stolen and the woman likely drunk and contacted police.

Reports indicated that the woman told officers that she had had drinks with a friend before deciding to stop at the bar on her way home. Although the woman was not arrested at the time, the police department launched an internal investigation. Following the investigation, the department terminated the woman, claiming that it would not tolerate behavior that could potentially erode the public’s trust in the department. It is unclear if criminal charges are expected to be filed.

Unfortunately, accusations of drunk driving can have serious consequences. In the event that she is charged as a result of the alleged incident, the former Louisiana police officer may choose to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help her throughout the process. With such a professional on her side, she can ensure that there is someone dedicated to protecting her interests as she navigates the criminal justice system.

Source: theadvocate.com, “Mandeville officer fired after investigation for being intoxicated in police car“, Sara Pagones, April 13, 2017