Sheriff releases the names of officers arrested for DUII 3

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--> --> Sheriff releases the names of officers arrested for DUII SPOKANE (AP) - The names of four Spokane County sheriff's officers arrested for drunken driving over the past two years have been made public. What was more surprising was the person who made them public: Sheriff Mark Sterk. "The only thing we have going for us is integrity," Sterk said in releasing the names Thursday. "If the community thinks we are trying to hide something, we can't survive." The sheriff said he is working with several law-enforcement unions on an arrangement that would give him authority to offer first-time offenders the option of alcohol evaluation and treatment programs. Currently, reprimand, suspension or termination are the only sheriff's department options for those caught intoxicated on the road. Participation in alcohol diversion programs is voluntary. Sterk said he's willing to give a deputy a second chance, but would opt for termination after a second offense. All four officers - three deputies and a sergeant - were off duty when they were arrested and charged with drunken driving by other police agencies in Washington and Idaho. Deputy Gary Redmond was fired after his July 2000 arrest. Sgt. Dave Martin received a letter of reprimand and deputies Travis Hansen and Brett Hubbell were suspended briefly. In the most recent incident, Hubbell's eight-day suspension was reduced by half when he agreed to enroll in an alcohol evaluation and treatment program. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing