D.C. Police Officer Under Investigation After DUI
posted 7:11 pm Mon January 14, 2008 - Washington
Police said Officer Ronzell Baker, a 19-year veteran, checked out an unmarked police car Friday night from the Third District Station while off-duty.
Early Saturday, Baker was involved in a minor accident with a woman while driving the car. According to Assistant Chief Peter Newsham, head of MPD's Internal Affairs Bureau, police responded to the crash scene and arrested Baker for DUI. Baker adds that officials, "will be conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest."
According to the police report, the 44-year-old officer's blood alcohol content was .23, which is two times the legal limit.
The woman, whose car the officer allegedly hit, tells ABC7/NewsChannel 8 the officer tried to leave the scene of the accident and asked ehr why she was doing this to him. She also claims she took a hand-held radio out of his car in an effort to keep him there. She said when he reached in her car to get it back, she rolled up the window, pinning his arm and forcing him to stay until other officers arrived.
Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier confirms the arrest, but says at this point the other details are allegations.
"We're only giving the officer the same consideration we would give anyone else - the benefit of an investigation." Lainer said.
Latest Comment on D.C. Police Officer Under Investigation After DUI
Blkberri420
9:38 am on 01/16/08
That is very interesting that she would be so bold to take an officer's radio and then pin his arm in her window. Suppose he was fearing for his own safety and responded in gun fire or busted her window and cause chards of glass to cause damage to her. That is a little strange to me. Now I don't say that the officer was correct in drinking and driving because that is wrong! He should be held responsible, but she should be held responsible for the theft of his radio. Two wrongs don't make it right! I don't think that he should be fired, however he need to get in a program. We all make mistakes and maybe he should be suspended without pay, I also think that he may have a family to feed that depends on him. They both were victims! But she took things a little further than needed!
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