An undercover Seattle police detective was recently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in an unmarked police car. According to police records, the officer-who is a 23-year veteran of the department-had been driving the vehicle around 1:30 in the afternoon when he rear-ended a vehicle sitting at an intersection on State Route 525 near Mukilteo.

As a result of the impact, two other cars were rear-ended, though nobody was hurt in the crash. Interestingly, courts records show that the 46-year-old officer was previously convicted of DUI in 1994 in Issaquah. For that offense, he served one day in jail, paid a fine and took an alcohol education course.

Sources said that Mukilteo Police officer took pictures of the crash scene, including the inside of the SUV the officer had been driving. Inside the vehicle there were apparently miniature bottles of alcohol along with loaded weapons.

Officers said that the man was significantly intoxicated at the time of his arrest, but he refused to take a breathalyzer test. Police impounded the SUV and released the man to a supervisor from the Seattle Police Department. It isn't clear whether the officer was actually on duty at the time he was arrested, since he works off hours doing surveillance.

Sources said that the officer has since pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge, and that he was transferred to another division of the Seattle Police Department until investigation of the matter is complete. It isn't clear whether he is currently on administrative leave.

Even police officers find themselves in tough situations and charges against them. They receive no special treatment, and must defend themselves against such charges just like the rest of us.

Source: king6.com, "Seattle detective arrested had drunk-driving conviction in 1994," October 28, 2011.