Don’t drink and drive is an admonition to be taken to heart by not just the general public, but also by police officers, on and off duty. Recently, a Travis County, Texas, detective was terminated from his position when he was arrested and charged for drunk driving.
The 47-year-old officer, a 24-year veteran of the local force, faced two other charges as well as driving while intoxicated (DWI): possession of a controlled substance and the unlawful carrying of a weapon. Another officer who spotted him swerving all over the road stopped him and administered a field sobriety test. The driver showed definite signs of intoxication and was carrying prescription pills in his pocket and a firearm in his vehicle.
Travis County took immediate action and terminated the police officer — sending a message to not only other members of the force, but to the public as well. Even police officials may be punished for driving under the influence. There are consequences to driving while drunk: you can lose your job, or your life.