Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 23, 2006 11:06:35 GMT -5
02/23/2006 - SURGOINSVILLE - Rookie Surgoinsville police officer Dustin Freeman has been suspended with pay as a result of being arrested on a DUI charge early Wednesday morning in Sullivan County.
Freeman, 26, 444 Devault Street, Church Hill, was hired by the Surgoinsville Police Department as a patrolman in October and achieved his state certification in law enforcement in December.
According to a report filed by Sullivan County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joe Stewart, Freeman was clocked driving 54 mph in a 35 mph zone on Route 36 early Wednesday morning and was pulled over by Stewart near the Interstate 81 interchange.
Stewart stated in his report he smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Freeman.
"The driver (Freeman) stated he drank seven beers earlier that night," Stewart stated in his report. "I gave several field sobriety tests, which he performed poorly on. Mr. Freeman stated he was trying to have fun with some friends."
Freeman was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent law (for declining to submit to a Breathalyzer or blood test) and speeding. He was released on $750 bond after spending about four hours in jail.
On Wednesday morning, Freeman waived arraignment in Sullivan County Sessions Court. A new court date of April 18 was set.
Surgoinsville Police Chief Dale Scalf said Wednesday that Freeman will be placed on suspension with pay pending the outcome of the charges.
"He's presumed innocent until proven guilty, so we won't take any further action until this is resolved in court," Scalf said.
Freeman was hired to the three-officer SPD in October by Mayor Hanes Cooper.
In November, Scalf - recently returned from military service in Iraq - was appointed police chief by the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen, increasing the number of officers in town to four.
The police department was only budgeted for three officers, and the day after Scalf's appointment to chief, Officer Don Mitchell - who'd been with the SPD for eight years - was "laid off" from the department in favor of Freeman.
Freeman, 26, 444 Devault Street, Church Hill, was hired by the Surgoinsville Police Department as a patrolman in October and achieved his state certification in law enforcement in December.
According to a report filed by Sullivan County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joe Stewart, Freeman was clocked driving 54 mph in a 35 mph zone on Route 36 early Wednesday morning and was pulled over by Stewart near the Interstate 81 interchange.
Stewart stated in his report he smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Freeman.
"The driver (Freeman) stated he drank seven beers earlier that night," Stewart stated in his report. "I gave several field sobriety tests, which he performed poorly on. Mr. Freeman stated he was trying to have fun with some friends."
Freeman was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent law (for declining to submit to a Breathalyzer or blood test) and speeding. He was released on $750 bond after spending about four hours in jail.
On Wednesday morning, Freeman waived arraignment in Sullivan County Sessions Court. A new court date of April 18 was set.
Surgoinsville Police Chief Dale Scalf said Wednesday that Freeman will be placed on suspension with pay pending the outcome of the charges.
"He's presumed innocent until proven guilty, so we won't take any further action until this is resolved in court," Scalf said.
Freeman was hired to the three-officer SPD in October by Mayor Hanes Cooper.
In November, Scalf - recently returned from military service in Iraq - was appointed police chief by the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen, increasing the number of officers in town to four.
The police department was only budgeted for three officers, and the day after Scalf's appointment to chief, Officer Don Mitchell - who'd been with the SPD for eight years - was "laid off" from the department in favor of Freeman.