A longtime Dover police patrolman is off the street after colleagues reportedly found him asleep at the station, then watched a pair of breath tests clock his blood-alcohol concentration at 0.202 on the afternoon of Jan. 21. That is roughly two and a half times Ohio’s legal driving limit of 0.08. The 15-year veteran has not been charged, as officials say both internal and criminal investigations are still underway.
What the records show
Public records provided to investigators state that Patrolman Ryan Porter was discovered sleeping at the Dover police station on Jan. 21 and was given a breathalyzer at 3:54 p.m., with a second test 15 minutes later. Both tests reportedly showed Porter’s BAC at 0.202, more than twice the legal limit. Those details surfaced through a records request, according to News 5 Cleveland.
City response and outside review
The City of Dover called the incident “a serious matter, warranting a full investigation” and said Porter was immediately pulled from duty and placed on leave while its internal review moves forward. City officials brought in an outside law-enforcement agency, asked the Tuscarawas County Sheriff to run a criminal investigation, and requested that a special prosecutor from the Columbus City Attorney’s Office review the case and decide whether criminal charges are appropriate, according to Your Ohio News.
Potential charges and legal context
Officials told reporters the special prosecutor could look at possible charges related to having a firearm while intoxicated, or to any driving Porter may have done earlier in the day, depending on what the outside investigation uncovers. Ohio law bars “using weapons while intoxicated,” which could come into play if investigators determine Porter had a gun while impaired. Prosecutors are expected to weigh the facts against ORC 2923.15 and ORC 2923.16, as reported by News 5 Cleveland.
Regional pattern and accountability
Incidents involving alleged alcohol impairment by officers have cropped up elsewhere in Northeast Ohio in recent years. In one example, an off-duty Cleveland officer was arrested after crashing into a North Olmsted pizza shop last year, a case that also featured parallel internal and criminal reviews.
For now, Porter remains on leave while Dover’s internal investigation and the outside criminal probe continue, city officials said. They have indicated that any disciplinary action will come after those processes are complete.
