A former police officer is in a battle to reclaim his job with the Cleveland police department. It is not clear how that fight will be affected by his recent plea of no contest to a misdemeanor charge of being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence.
The punishment for 34-year-old former cop: a year of inactive probation and a $350 fine. He was also ordered to go to five sessions with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to a recent news article. He was originally charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The former officer was also involved in a police chase in 2012 that ended with the shooting deaths of two unarmed people. He was fired for his role in the tragedy.
His attorney vowed after the recent hearing that his client will get his job back with the police force.
The former cop was arrested after a three-car crash on his birthday last year. A woman told law enforcement officials that she was stopped at a red light when his car slammed into hers from behind. The impact pushed her car forward into the back of another vehicle.
The driver of the third vehicle left the scene before police arrived.
Investigating officers did not mention in police documents what substance the former cop was suspected of being influenced by, nor did the documents mention sobriety tests or blood tests.
Regardless, the former cop will spend a year on inactive probation, pay the fine and attend the five classes.
Those in Cincinnati who face a similar predicament can speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney about their options in a drunk driving case.
