(March 23) – An on-duty Colorado State Patrol trooper was pulled over in his marked patrol car Monday and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after several concerned citizens called 911 to report he was driving erratically.
“Devastated” is how Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the CSP, described the arrest of David Dolan at a press conference.
“This badge has meaning. This badge represents 75 years of a strict enforcement of Colorado laws [and] protecting people. I’m devastated,” Wolfinbarger said.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says it received the first of numerous calls about the incident at about 7 a.m. Monday. Those calls were initially transferred to the CSP, but a few minutes later the CSP contacted the Sheriff’s Department and asked for help locating the vehicle.
“You’re looking for a marked … state patrol unit,” a CSP dispatcher reported over police airways. “We’ve got several calls. Need to check his welfare.”
Shortly after the request for assistance was made, a Douglas County deputy spotted Dolan’s cruiser on the C-470 beltway. A traffic stop was then initiated near South Platte Canyon Road.
“After contacting the driver, who was confirmed to be a Colorado State trooper in full uniform, he was taken into custody for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol,” reads a CSP press release.
Dolan’s arrest was captured on video by a local news station.
“The images that you see on television like that are tough to explain,” Wolfinbarger said.
As difficult as the situation is, Wolfinbarger said he is grateful that other drivers took the initiative to call in and report the incident. “[They] helped a very bad situation from turning tragic,” he said.
At the time of his arrest, Dolan was reportedly en route from the Colorado Springs barracks to an academy in Golden. Wolfinbarger said he is uncertain what business Dolan had there.
“I don’t know why he was going there,” Wolfinbarger told The Denver Post. “He was not on routine patrol.”
Dolan was booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges of driving under the influence and prohibited use of weapons. The weapons charge stems from a Colorado law that prohibits the possession of a firearm while intoxicated. He is free on bond.
According to Wolfinbarger, Dolan, 48, is a 21-year veteran of CSP. He is assigned to the Colorado Springs unit, where his duties include accident reconstruction and background investigations on individuals who have enrolled in the Colorado State Patrol Academy.
As a result of his arrest, Dolan has been placed on unpaid leave, pending an internal investigation. Following that investigation, a hearing will be held, at which time Dolan could be terminated.
Well I can’t see this going off track at some point.
By “can’t” I mean “absolutely will.”
M_P
Not my intention, I just hope for the officer’s sake it turns out to be an adverse reaction to meds or something, but it doesn’t seem like that will be the case. BAC doesn’t come back that fast for them to know that it was alcohol, does it?
lame… 21 years down the drain, just like that. must be the end of a long downward spiral- fortunately his “crash and burn” wasn’t literal.
It’s tough sometimes but being that this is still “under internal investigation”
Everyone (INCLUDING the MEDIA) should remember it still pretty much is…
Innocent until PROVEN guilty.
No matter the outcome i’m pretty sure everyone understands no matter what the job there will always be a few bad eggs and given the bigger the group the more
bad eggs there is potential to be.
That being said i would NEVER let one (or a very small batch) of bad eggs EVER stop me from enjoying one of my favorite meals… breakfast!!
If he is PROVEN guilty then thank whoever no one was hurt and he gets help and help in making better choices in his life.
Not just fired and cast aside starting a downward spiral.
Like what you see done with most airline pilots and others whom we trust daily
with our lives.
who knows maybe he’s just really a shitty driver.
I would be very surprised if he submitted to a breath test, which is instantaneous.
A blood test could take a little time but the hospitals get you an answer very quickly, it just takes a court order to get those results. Either way, bad choices have consequences.
When I first heard this, and I still do think, but if it does come back he was Under the Influence of Alchol, this is by no mens an excuse, but there’s something wrong in his life.
Again, I’m not making an excuse, but you just dont throw away 21 years, as a State Trooper who focuses on Accident Reconstruction, as well as of coarse motor vehicle violations such as DUI.
This isnt some dumb rookie, this is a Trooper with years and experiance under his belt, if this was an alchol related incident, something has to have triggered him to
not care anymore and throw it all away.
It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out
You make some very valid points. I think a lot of this could also apply to the average citizen in a similar situation.
I really doubt his chief would say the things he did if there was any doubt if he was drunk or not. Recently I heard about someone I used to work with was losing his career because of alcohol even when he was given a bunch of chances to clean himself up. I think alcohol being legal makes people forget how many problems it can cause.
Ditto.
This is unfortunate in many ways. Yet, despite the article’s slant, this is hardly a complete picture of the event or what is to come. Often, the administrative personnel action is a confidential proceeding, even if the arrest is public record. There is a two-prong process, which can overlap depending on the charge.
Further, police discipline in these types of matters can vary from state to state, and the mere statement, “Could lead to termination,” does not necessarily mean the officer will be terminated. For many agencies in law enforcement, the lines between verbal reprimand and termination are very thin.
Accordingly, even cops who screw up are subject to progressive discipline (like many jobs), and depending on what really happened at the stop (e.g., Is this his first offense, did he cooperate, did he tell the truth, is he an alcoholic, is he asking for help) – the outcome is hardly predetermined. The lack of injury means the incident is likely a misdemeanor, which by itself, may not be grounds for dismissal. Conversely, a felony charge could result in dismissal for cause, even before a conviction.
If the officer had some serious personal issues and requests treatment for alcoholism, he may get ONE pass, subject to completion of counseling and no further violations of policy for x number of years. Also, I don’t know how many years is required for his retirement, but early retirement could also be an option, depending greatly on the level of cooperation and the officer’s acceptance of accountability.
While it is perfectly reasonable to hold police officers and those who either make or enforce laws to a higher standard; the totality of the circumstances, including factors that could mitigate discipline must be considered if we are to impose what is right. The world just isn’t drawn in black and white
This is particularly true if the employee is vested (and after 21 years, I would imagine he is), and more importantly, if Colorado has a Peace Officer Bill of Rights. POBR exists in many states, and often, to prevent capricious dismissals when some attempt to save a career might be the right thing to do.
While certainly shameful, such stupidity is not as unforgiveable as some might make it out to be, depending on how sincerely remorseful the individual was, to include past behavior and record – even for cops – up to a point.
Sorry if the waters got a little muddied.
Cops shouldn’t get a free pass, but first time misdemeanor DUI offenders don’t go to prison right off the bat, either. Just as most folks don’t get fired from their jobs just for having been arrested on a misdemeanor – there are some common sense parallels for first time police discipline. This is often the case, provided the officer is honest and remorseful by sincerely accepting accountability and consequences – and does not reoffend.
This fellow can probably save what remains of his job, by taking it in the chest like a man – and realize that somehow, alcohol has interfered with his life. His career; however, based on time and other things, is likely over.
If he lied, is in denial or makes excuses – Adios, amigo.
This happened on the highway right in front of my work. I drove past the whole thing, but only saw a bunch of cop cars (and 2 news helicopters :rolleyes:). No clue what had happened until word spread around the office.
Honestly this is terrifying. Not only was the patrolman driving a marked State Patrol vehicle, but he was also armed with his issue sidearm, as well as an AR15.
I agree. The article is sparse on facts (like BAC, etc.) but the way those quotes come across - it doesn’t sound like the boss has any doubt.
Recently I heard about someone I used to work with was losing his career because of alcohol even when he was given a bunch of chances to clean himself up. I think alcohol being legal makes people forget how many problems it can cause.
I know a bunch of people who have lost, or severely damaged, their careers. It’s a widespread and tragic problem and can happen to people in any line of work.
I’m not going to bash him for doing this in uniform - the fact that he did this at all tells me that he is mentally ill and it wasn’t a willful act on his part. I feel sorry for this guy and hope he gets the help he needs. It’s too bad he, or other people around him, couldn’t have stopped it before it got to this point.
Double post.
He has not been found guilty yet… but he did it. I don’t care what ‘life problems’ you have there is NO excuse for what he did and this extreme lack of character is not acceptable for even an off duty LEO in his car on his time let alone IN UNIFORM IN A SQUAD CAR. Pathetic. I just hope someone deserving who is currently employed and capable appreciates the responsibility more than he did.
Agreed. There may have been any one of several personal situations that caused him to do something incredibly stupid like this, something that in all possibility he might never have done before. To assume he just doesn’t give a shit or was out to do deliberate harm is short-sighted.
Yes, he bears additional responsibility over that of us common folk. But it’s not necessarily like he is now the scum of the earth either.
Will need to wait for the final report, but Hope it all works out for him…there are lots of worse circumstances that could have happened besides ruining his career.
Just glad he did not hurt himself or anyone else that would have dug the hole a lot deeper literally and emotionally.
Officers are indeed entitled to progressive discipline. The problem is that there are behaviors they will engage in and violations that will commit that are entirely inconsistent with the ethics, values, and missions associated with their profession. He isn’t driving a delivery van, he’s driving a marked patrol car of the Colorado State Patrol. His job is to arrest drunk drivers, not be one.
His punishment should be swift, definitive, and made public so as to restore confidence and credibility of the CSP and their accountability processes.
LE culture is entirely too tolerant of the use and abuse of alcohol by its members.
Local news sources are reporting that a family member informed them that he admitted himself to an alcohol treatment center for approx. 2.5 days and has admitted to a drinking problem. This occured prior to his arrest.
They also stated that he is suffering from PTST from many years on the accident response team reviewing many fatalities.
Well said PRG and precisely right. We will have to see what happens, there are many factors but there is definitely alot more to the story. Even if he’s an exemplary officer he’ll see some days on the beach for sure as this has been a very public spectacle.
Then I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs and deserves.