Off-Duty Officer Charged In Motorcycle Crash

.OrgOwner · 06-15-2008, 7:53 PM

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- An off-duty police officer faces drunken-driving charges after a crash in Manchester late Thursday.

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Manchester police responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle on Tarrytown Road near Hanover Street at about 9 p.m.

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Police said Alejandro Jaime, 36, of Hooksett, rear-ended the motorcycle, which was driven by James McLaughlin, 30, of Manchester. McLaughlin's wife, Taylor, 31, was a passenger on the motorcycle. Both were thrown from the bike and suffered injuries that were not deemed by police as serious. An ambulance transported the couple to Elliot Hospital and they were later released.

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Manchester police said Jaime, who was not injured, identified himself as an off-duty Bedford police officer. Upon conducting a field sobriety test, police said they determined Jaime was impaired. Police charged Jaime with operating under the influence, saying he has cooperated in their continuing investigation

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So what happens now? Does the officer start looking for a new job?

lanbrown · 06-15-2008, 8:06 PM

He should be fired and charges brought forth. He should be treated just like they would anyone else.

Grover130 · 06-15-2008, 8:08 PM

No -He starts looking for another bar.

.OrgOwner · 06-15-2008, 8:19 PM

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Originally Posted by lanbrown

He should be fired and charges brought forth. He should be treated just like they would anyone else.

It's an interesting argument, you would think he should lose his job but on the other hand loss of job is not a penalty the rest of us have to endure unless we drive for a living. I do wonder what the internal rules on this type of situation are, I bet they vary from state to state. Would it be any different if the offence was dangerous driving or speeding?

Doomwitha929 · 06-15-2008, 8:42 PM

As a law officer he should be held to a HIGHER standard them everyone else. Most companys will fire you for commiting a crime that reflects on them as you as an employee. The fact he was breaking the law and his job is in fact to enforce the law and stop people doing exactly what he was doing seems like it would be in conflict with his employment. It could also be seen as a violation of his code of conduct. Even things that are not exactly illegal can get someone fired if they are unethical or immoral. Besides it seems to me pretty much BS that a cop can ticket or fine you for something then do the very same thing on his off hours and not get fired for it. As a technician it is totally with in my rights to wrench on other peoples Nissans on my own time while on company property but doing so can still get me fired because it is taking business from the company and as an employee of their company if I do bad work, scam someone or do work that results in injury or death it could reflect badly on them. On the other hand if you ignore him being a cop the fact anyone was a big enough idiot to get on a bike drunk should go a long way to showing he has beyond bad decision making skills.

lanbrown · 06-15-2008, 8:44 PM

If it were speeding, sothing would have been done as the other officer may have just let him continue on.

.OrgOwner · 06-15-2008, 8:53 PM

Does anyone know exactly what the internal police policy is on such matters?

lanbrown · 06-15-2008, 9:45 PM

I would think it would change from police force to police force. The public outcry could make a big difference as well.

Red Rider · 06-15-2008, 10:16 PM

Each department sets their own policies.

Doomwitha929 · 06-15-2008, 10:18 PM

Considering the flack he will probably get from the other officers he will probably quit on his own anyway.

beerock · 06-16-2008, 9:37 PM

haha in all honesty most cops believe it gives them the cartblanche to do whatever they want......

I know of a couple officers that d just that, some are even high up in the state police rank

x[corwyn] · 06-16-2008, 9:40 PM

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Originally Posted by beerock

haha in all honesty most cops believe it gives them the cartblanche to do whatever they want......

I know of a couple officers that d just that, some are even high up in the state police rank

yup. Thats how the socal revenue getters act like. Do as I say not as I do. Wankers.

Hotbrakes · 06-17-2008, 2:13 AM

As a LEO, he is on duty 24/7. His actions on and off duty reflect on his department and LEOs everywhere. I'm sure he will suffer harsh consequences. Perhaps not as bad as losing his job. That punishment would most likely come down to money as it does with my job. A certain level of driving record is required for the insurance policy being used. If someone falls below that standard and their primary job function involves driving, well they can't drive- they can't work. Likewise if a DUI in that state mandates loss of driving priviledges, he might be seeking employment elsewhere.

06CBR1KMFNRR · 06-17-2008, 2:26 AM

Strong public outcry has definitely changed the way public employees are treated regarding DUI. In the military, it is now a career ender. They may not kick you out, but they probably won't let you reenlist. I saw a Gunnery Sergeant get ousted when he got a DUI and his record was otherwise flawless.

ripvanwinkle · 07-05-2008, 11:55 AM

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Originally Posted by Red Rider

Each department sets their own policies.

yeah, some would've just let him go without letting it be known he was drunk. consider yourself lucky. some cops would've found a way to make it the biker's fault.

regarding the statement that the cops didn't consider the couples' injuries serious, i wonder if they share the cops' opinion?

longjon · 08-09-2008, 6:57 AM

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Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Does anyone know exactly what the internal police policy is on such matters?

I'm a cop in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I can't speak for New Hampshire procedures. However, if that were to happen here the officer's career would most likely be over. We had a Highway Patrolman a couple of years back who got into an accident while driving drunk. Not only was he driving his patrol vehicle, but he was also the head of the anti-DUI task force! Needless to say, he is not longer employed as a law enforcement officer.

heyy · 08-13-2008, 11:45 AM

A patrolling police officer or even a parking lot security gaurd would be considered driving jobs... wouldn't they? or is that just trucks? From what i understand cops are some of the worst in terms of drinking and driving, but you have to remember many people make this mistake everyday they just don't hurt anyone or get caught every time, maybe this was his first time and it was a lesson learned, atleast no one was seriously injured...so its hard to say....

lanbrown · 08-13-2008, 1:21 PM

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Originally Posted by heyy

A patrolling police officer or even a parking lot security gaurd would be considered driving jobs... wouldn't they? or is that just trucks? From what i understand cops are some of the worst in terms of drinking and driving, but you have to remember many people make this mistake everyday they just don't hurt anyone or get caught every time, maybe this was his first time and it was a lesson learned, atleast no one was seriously injured...so its hard to say....

It really doesn't matter. He is there to enforce the law, not break it. He knows the penalties, does he not? Would he let someone go because it was "their first time drinking and driving" and didn't harm anyone?

Surgeons are usually up early, so they need to go to bed early. That is part of the job. They also cannot be out drinking the night before and expect to be performing surgery. The same applies to being a police officer. There are cons to any job and if you don't like them, find a new one.

D2i_Ironman · 08-30-2008, 7:14 PM

this is definitely a hard case to consider. on the one hand you can look at him as just a regular person who made a mistake. in my past years i have driven under the influence on occassion. i never got caught or had any serious consequences come of it. i am just a good natured person who made a bad decision and got away with it. he just made a mistake and must deal with the consequences. but on the other hand, it makes it hard to hear about a drunk cop hitting a motorcyclist when they profile us so hard. i am from montana where we have some gorgeous canyon riding in our limited summer season. however, cops pull us over just for entering canyons. they sometimes even try to issue tickets but those don't hold up in court. anyhow, he should definitely never wear a badge again.

lanbrown · 08-30-2008, 7:24 PM

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Originally Posted by D2i_Ironman

anyhow, he should definitely never wear a badge again.

I think a nice orange jumper and a pair of silver bracelets would suit him quite well.

A friend of mine has an allergic reaction to alcohol; he always breaks out in handcuffs when he drinks. He doesn't drink anymore.

00blade · 08-30-2008, 7:47 PM

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Originally Posted by lanbrown

A friend of mine has an allergic reaction to alcohol; he always breaks out in handcuffs when he drinks. He doesn't drink anymore.

Sometimes not drinking at all is a good alternative to stupidity.

If someone is impaired on the job they have a problem. Simple termination is not going to do anyone any good. So the guy gets fired and then what does he do? Drink even more and hurt someone else? I think a nice stretch on the inside followed by a good 12 step program would be a start but then get his ass back to work. Then you can take the costs out of his wages.

ozthis · 08-30-2008, 8:37 PM

to me being a cop is just a job...nothing more. He should be charged with whatever a regular person would be. It should not be more or less. The upside is that people in that field dont do to well on the inside. If it comes to that...there is where the true penality will be handed out.

lanbrown · 08-31-2008, 2:23 AM

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Originally Posted by ozthis

to me being a cop is just a job...nothing more. He should be charged with whatever a regular person would be. It should not be more or less. The upside is that people in that field dont do to well on the inside. If it comes to that...there is where the true penality will be handed out.

Not true at all; look at cop killers. Why are the punishments worse?

bettingpython · 08-31-2008, 6:06 PM

Oz many departments do have the view you have expressed including the Tulsa PD and Tulsa Sherriffs. The OKlahoma Highway Patrol guys are bound to the same code of conduct off duty as they are on duty. A trooper here receiving a DUI would be subject to immediate suspension and likely dismissal for for violating the professional code of conduct. Several years ago a video tape of several troopers at a bachelor party with ermmmmm female entertainers accidentally became public. They all lost their jobs, talk about not having a private life.

ozthis · 08-31-2008, 6:42 PM

That sux....i dont think it matters what you do in your off time as long as it is within the law.

Stick · 08-31-2008, 7:30 PM

All I have to say regarding this is.... MY DUI ruined my career as an aspiring serious auto tech. An officer of the law should be made an example of the way I was. That's only fair.

ozthis · 08-31-2008, 9:16 PM

they were getting lap dances and you were getting a dui....i dont see relation here

Stick · 08-31-2008, 9:35 PM

The up side to this story is everyone was ok. A DUI is a DUI. If I am uninsurible to take your car on a test drive for diagnostic purposes, how can a goverment run agency insure someone they issue a firearm to? I made my bed and I lay in it. Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way. I just don't think an off-duty officer should get any special treatment considering he is the one who is supposed to up the law the most. May he lay in his bed as well.

bettingpython · 08-31-2008, 9:36 PM

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Originally Posted by ozthis

they were getting lap dances and you were getting a dui....i dont see relation here

errmmm ehhh chooo chooo...as I understand it...

Yeah I got stopped for a DUI arrest 12 years ago, I am not allowed to work for the city county or state in any information management capacity that has to do with police or court records.

dicknose · 09-01-2008, 4:41 AM

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Originally Posted by Hotbrakes

As a LEO, he is on duty 24/7. His actions on and off duty reflect on his department and LEOs everywhere. I'm sure he will suffer harsh consequences. Perhaps not as bad as losing his job. That punishment would most likely come down to money as it does with my job. A certain level of driving record is required for the insurance policy being used. If someone falls below that standard and their primary job function involves driving, well they can't drive- they can't work. Likewise if a DUI in that state mandates loss of driving priviledges, he might be seeking employment elsewhere.

DUI causing an accident with injuries could be a criminal offense.
So worse than just losing your license, you could have a criminal conviction and that certainly would lose his job.

Personally I think he should lose his job.

On a related note we recently had a magistrate convicted of DUI.
She will keep her job.