A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest for Driving Under the Influence. Officer Stephen Brown was arrested while off-duty in York, South Carolina by the Clover Police Department on Monday, according to a statement released by CMPD.
The internal investigation into Officer Brown's conduct is being handled by the CMPD's Internal Affairs Division. Officer Brown, who joined the department on October 16, 2006, was most recently assigned to the Airport Division. Questions about the arrest have been directed to the Clover Police Department, which is the leading investigative agency in this case.
Details of the incident leading up to the DUI charge, including whether a field sobriety test was administered or the level of alcohol in Brown's system, have not been released by the Clover Police Department at this time. The investigation into the affairs is ongoing, and updates are expected as new information becomes available.
Employee misconduct within police forces always draws public scrutiny, highlighting the tension between those who serve and protect and the communities they are sworn to uphold. Information on Brown's employment history indicates that he has been with CMPD for nearly 19 years, suggesting a seasoned officer's fall from grace. The CMPD has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in the wake of this incident.
As the legal process unfolds, Officer Brown will remain on unpaid leave pending the results of the internal investigation.
