Pubdate: Tue, 30 Apr 2002
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Copyright: 2002 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Kim Bates

D.A.R.E. OFFICER CITED WITH DUI

Henry County Deputy Suspended During Inquiry

NAPOLEON - As head of the local D.A.R.E. program, Debra Pittman has been 
teaching Henry County school children to say no to drugs and alcohol.

Now, the longtime sheriff's deputy is in trouble with the law, allegedly 
for driving drunk while she was off duty.

Ms. Pittman, 42, of Napoleon, a county sheriff's deputy for nearly 25 
years, was arrested about 1:18 a.m. Friday by Ohio Highway Patrol troopers 
in Defiance.

She was charged with driving under the influence after she was stopped on 
County Road L at State Rt. 65 near her home in rural Henry County. She also 
was cited for not wearing her seat belt and having a broken taillight.

Sheriff John Nye said he has suspended the deputy with pay pending an 
internal investigation that could take several days.

"I'm very disappointed," Sheriff Nye said yesterday.

The sheriff said Ms. Pittman has done a good job since becoming the 
county's D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, officer about four 
years ago. Through her job, she has appeared in Henry County schools daily, 
teaching youngsters to resist peer pressure and live drug-free and 
violence-free lives.

In addition to her D.A.R.E. activities, Ms. Pittman was supervisor of the 
county's 911 system, the sheriff said.

"Everybody's kind of upset about it," Mr. Ohlrich said. "It's a black eye 
for us."

As union president, Mr. Ohlrich said he plans to monitor the administrative 
review process.

Mr. Ohlrich said the department has no set disciplinary action for officers 
charged with crimes. But Sheriff Nye said the pending ruling could call for 
anything from time off to suspension or termination.

Neither Ms. Pittman nor her attorney, Charles Bates of Defiance, could be 
reached for comment.

According to Napoleon Municipal Court, Mr. Bates filed for an appearance in 
court on Ms. Pittman's behalf. Through her attorney, Ms. Pittman waived her 
arraignment. A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 20.

Ralph Lochridge, communications director for D.A.R.E. America in Los 
Angeles, said he didn't know of any other case of a D.A.R.E. officer being 
arrested for drunken driving. He said care is taken in choosing D.A.R.E. 
officers, who must adhere to strict national policies.

Though unfamiliar with the situation, Mr. Lochridge said it will be 
important for people to await the outcome of the case. He said pupils 
should be told.

"I think it's essential," he said. "I think you have to be honest to show 
how drugs can affect one's life. It's a hard lesson for everybody."
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