Portland Police Sergeant Patrick Mawdsley found himself on the wrong side of the law after an off-duty incident last month that led to his arrest by the Meeker County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota. Mawdsley, an 18-year career police officer, was involved in a non-injury, single-vehicle accident on the night of July 3. He promptly reported the issue to his supervisor on July 4, as per the information disclosed by the Portland Police Bureau.
During the assessment of the crash which involved a rented vehicle that Mawdsley was driving, deputies discovered him armed with his Bureau-issued Glock pistol and suspected impairment behind the wheel. After a subsequent investigation, he faced citations for Careless Driving and Carrying While Under the Influence of Alcohol, misdemeanors with precise thresholds laid out under Minnesota law. Released from custody following the citation, Mawdsley's actions now echo the concerns of a public trust placed in those sworn to uphold the law.
In the wake of these events, the Portland Police Bureau took swift action, placing Sergeant Mawdsley on administrative leave pending an ongoing internal probe into his conduct. "As law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard," Chief Bob Day said in a statement made by the Portland Police Bureau's news release. The Chief's anticipation for the "complete and thorough investigation" not only seeks closure but also a reaffirmation of the accountability standards within the police force.
