Austin Officer Conducting Breathalyzer Tests Fired After Failing Test Himself

AUSTIN, TX — An Austin police officer who was in charge of conducting Breathalyzer tests at the Travis County jail has himself been fired for failing the test for intoxication, according to a published report.

The possible intoxication of the officer emerged after he performed an intoxication "self-test" required to maintain his certification in operating the machine, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The officer is said to have notified his sergeant that the machine may have registered just below the legal limit for intoxication. The sergeant also is accused of improperly handling the situation, according to the report, although the details of how he reacted to the test is unclear. Still, his handling of the situation was bad enough to warrant a 60-day suspension, according to the report.

According to the newspaper, city officials are expected to release disciplinary memos later on Tuesday that presumably will provide more details about the incident.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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