Officer Rolls Jeep and is Allegedly Found With Open Liquor Bottle While Smelling of Alcohol . . . But Is Not Charged After She Refuses Sobriety Test and Other Officers Deny Smelling Alcohol

Questions are being raised about the handling of a Bartlett, Tennessee police officer who was found off-duty in an accident where she rolled over her jeep, which contained an open liquor bottle. EMTs reportedly smelled alcohol and Officer Teresa Brignole refused a sobriety test. However, the officers at the scene supported her in saying that they did not smell alcohol and she was not charged with DUI.

The internal investigation was unable to be completed bevause Brignole, 43, is on medical leave. Police Chief Gary Rikard has indicated that they may allow a grand jury to look into the matter to clear up public misgivings.

Brignole suffered a laceration on her head and several broken vertebrae in the crash of her Jeep. Two of three officers said that they did not smell alcohol. It is not clear what the third officer stated from news reports.

While she could have crashed the Jeep without the influence of alcohol, the refusal of the test is a bit off-putting for an officer.

This is only the latest controversy over officers in a slew of recent cases involving alleged DUI, here and here and here and here.

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