The Aspen police chief is defending his decision to fire an officer accused of reporting to work drunk, but an attorney helping the officer says he had a hangover and hadn't been drinking immediately before going on duty.
Jim Crowley, an 18-year veteran of the Aspen force, was dismissed last week and arrested on suspicion of driving while ability-impaired and prohibited use of a weapon.
Police say Crowley smelled of alcohol when he reported on Aug. 28, and a breath test showed his blood-alcohol level at .063, above the 0.05 threshold for driving impaired. Another officer drove him home, where he was arrested later by police from nearby Snowmass Village, who were asked to take over the case.
"I know the question on some people's minds is this was a drastic action," Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor said Tuesday. "But the distinction for me is this was behavior that is not acceptable. This was a safety issue and not something I could live with. And I've consulted with our attorney, and I believe we're on solid ground and ethical ground."
Pryor said the weapons charge was filed because Crowley had a firearm in his holster at the time he was allegedly intoxicated.
Pitkin County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Cheney said no decision had been made on whether to proceed with a criminal case.
Attorney Lawson Wills, who said he is providing legal advice to Crowley as a friend, said Crowley told him he went to work with a hangover.
"This is not a situation where he was drinking before work," he said.
Wills questioned the ability-impaired charge because, he said, no one witnessed Crowley driving to work.
Wills said he will not be Crowley's attorney in any court proceedings.
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