On February 10th at approximately 11:53 p.m. Seattle Police patrol officers stopped a suspect driving a Chevy Impala near Western Avenue and Spring Street after observing the suspect commit a series of traffic violations. Upon contact officers recognized the driver of the suspect vehicle as a Seattle Police sergeant. The officers suspected the sergeant was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and called SPD supervisors to the scene. Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers were subsequently called to the scene to assume control over the investigation.
WSP troopers took custody of the SPD sergeant and processed him for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs. Upon completion of their preliminary investigation, WSP released the SPD sergeant to his supervisor.
The SPD sergeant is a 22-year veteran of the Department currently assigned to the Special Operations Bureau. At the time of the incident, it does not appear the SPD sergeant was on duty, however he was driving an unmarked Seattle Police Department vehicle assigned to him.
He will receive an investigatory transfer pending the ongoing investigation. SPD has initiated the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) complaint process. The OPA will actively monitor the ongoing WSP criminal case for developments. Upon the conclusion of the criminal case, OPA will proceed with a separate administrative investigation into the employee’s conduct.