Second TPD officer charged with OVI

TOLEDO, Ohio - FOX Toledo has learned a second Toledo police officer was arrested Sunday after being allegedly drunk on the job.

Officer Don Mitchell was charged with DUI on Sunday after a Toledo police segeant observed Mitchell allegedly unable to walk in a straight line after getting out of his police cruiser during his Saturday shift . He was transported from the Scott Park sub-station to the Lucas County Jail downtown. 

Mitchell, who's been on the force for over 10 years, refused a Breathalyzer exam at the Lucas County Jail, but later submitted to one at a Toledo area hospital.

OVI stands for "Operating a Vehicle while Impaired," a broad-based term encompassing alcohol, drugs, or other substances.  DUI and OVI are often used interchangeably.

It seems the city of Toledo was trying to keep this second DUI arrest of a Toledo police officer quiet.  Officer Mitchell was never arrested and never booked, meaning there is no jail booking photo.

In mid-October, 59-year-old Officer James Brier was arrested for allegedly being drunk on the job. A Toledo firefighter noticed strange behavior at the scene of an accident where Officer Brier was assisting. Officer Brier was later arrested at Detroit and Berdan avenues while driving a city police cruiser.

Officer Mitchell has also been charged with OVI.  He is currently suspended with no pay pending his court hearing. He will be arraigned Friday, Nov. 6, in Toledo Municipal Court.

Toldo Police Patrolman's Association union president Dan Wagner told FOX Toledo News Monday morning the demands of Toledo police officers are extreme. The things they are faced with in the line of duty are stressful and, unfortunately, officers are turning to alcohol as a way to cope.

"We're working with extreme conditions with low manpower and it's not an excuse, but it's a national problem with policing that officers turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism," Wagner said.

The union, along with Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre, are working together to come up with a way to tackle this issue.

Legal counsel for Officer Mitchell appeared in Toledo Municipal Court Nov. 12 and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Like Officer James Brier, who is also under investigation of driving under the influence on the job with Toledo police, the municipal court judge granted Mitchell driving privileges to and from the police station with his personal vehicle.

Officer Mitchell was suspended without pay Nov. 2.