By Liz Gelardi
MORGAN COUNTY (July 28, 2014) – An Indianapolis Metropolitan police officer has been arrested in a DUI case for the second time in about a year.
Kevin Brown, a late shift officer in the North District and 16-year veteran of IMPD, was taken into custody in Morgan County around 3 a.m. He was in his patrol car near his home in Monrovia at the time.
“We are disappointed by the choices Officer Brown has made,” said Assistant Chief Ron Hicks “We hold our officers to high standards and consider Officer Brown’s actions inconsistent with the mission and values of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the great work that our men and women do on a daily basis.”
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrest, saying Brown had been booked on charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction. He was taken to the Morgan County Jail. An IMPD special investigative unit also responded.
The department has suspended him without pay. Public safety officials expect Chief Rick Hite recommend Brown for termination. The Police Merit Board will review the recommendation.
According to department policy an employee will be fired if he or she operates a city-owned vehicle with a BAC greater than 0.02.
“It’s very disappointing that an officer would engage in that behavior in his patrol car,” said Valerie Washington, Deputy Director of Public Safety.
Public safety officials said Officer Brown worked a crowd control detail during the Brickyard 400 on Sunday. They believe his shift ended sometime around 5 p.m.
Brown has a previous DUI from an incident last August. He was off duty and driving his personal vehicle. His first offense resulted in a 30 day suspension and he was required to attend alcohol related counseling.
