13 Chicago Police Arrested for DUI Last Year, Department Says

April 17, 2009

The Chicago Police Department is reporting 13 officers were arrested last year for driving under the influence, with five of them involved in auto accidents that caused two injuries.

The disclosure April 15 came days after an off-duty Chicago police detective was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence for an accident that left two people dead.

According to the Chicago Tribune, four of the officers were arrested in Chicago, with three apprehended in suburban Chicago and six outside Illinois.

Police Superintendent Jody Weis has pointed out that only a small number of the department’s 13,000 Chicago officers have been accused of driving drunk.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services statistics indicate nationally, there is one drunk-driving arrest for every 155 drivers.

Information from: Chicago Tribune, www.chicagotribune.com