TACOMA, Wash. — The lawyer for Tacoma's police department wound up in handcuffs over the weekend, arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and hit-and-run.
According to a report by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Tacoma City Attorney Mike Smith hit a power pole near 91st and Cirque around 1 a.m. on Saturday, and then slammed into a speed-limit sign.
Smith was pulled over several blocks away by a University Place police officer who spotted him driving on two flat tires with significant damage to his truck.
The deputy reported Smith continued driving for two blocks before stopping in the middle of the street.
"It appeared to him he was highly intoxicated," said sheriff's spokesperson Detective Lynelle Anderson. "He also saw what appeared to be an open beer bottle in the cup holder and a case of beer seated on the passenger seat of the vehicle."
According to a City of Tacoma online newsletter, Smith is "a legal advisor primarily handling personnel and internal affairs issues at the Tacoma Police Department."
The arrest report states that Smith tried to hide the case of beer under the seat of his truck.
Another deputy found parts from his truck at the scene of the power-pole crash several blocks away.
Investigators say at one point, Smith put on his City of Tacoma identification and ignored commands by the arresting officer.
"He was not cooperative for the entire time," said Anderson. "He was transferred to a different facility to be processed and during that time at various points, he refused to be seated and refused to cooperate."
Smith was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run.
The case has been referred to the Pierce County prosecuting attorney's office for review before charges are filed.
Smith's LinkedIn page states he has worked for the city attorney in Tacoma since 2009.
The city attorney's office issued a statement late Wednesday stating Smith had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal personnel review.
KIRO
