PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Police Bureau revealed Thursday that a veteran sergeant with the agency is on paid administrative leave almost two months after his arrest in Minnesota during an "impaired driving investigation."
According to the agency, Sgt. Patrick Mawdsley notified his supervisor on July 4 that he'd been criminally cited in Meeker County, Minnesota the night prior.
Around 10 p.m. on July 3, PPB said, deputies from the Meeker County Sheriff's Office responded to investigate a non-injury single-vehicle crash, which turned out to be Mawdsley in his rental car. Deputies detained the PPB officer for an impaired driving investigation.
Mawdsley was armed with his Bureau-issued Glock 43X handgun at the time. Ultimately, deputies handed him a criminal citation for careless driving and for carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol, a charge specific to blood alcohol content of less than .10 but more than .04. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Deputies released Mawdsley from custody after issuing the citation. According to the Meeker County Sheriff's Office, his BAC at the time of testing was .06. Minnesota's legal limit is .08, and Mawdsley was not charged for driving while intoxicated.
PPB placed Mawdsley on paid administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, the agency said. He's been with the agency for 18 years, and is assigned to the Specialized Resources Division.
"As law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard," said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. "I look forward to learning the results of the complete and thorough investigation when it is complete."
