KSTP is reporting that Hennepin County Sheriff Hutchinson was involved in a single vehicle roll over crash around 2:30 AM this morning. The Sheriff is injured and in the hospital. State Patrol said impaired driving is suspected and took a urine sample. The case will be reviewed by the Douglas County prosecutor.
The position of this blog has always been due process. So first off I wish Sheriff Hutch a speedy recovery.
However, if he was driving impaired there is great concern.
He was at the Minnesota Sheriff's Association's winter conference. That means he was on duty AND driving a County vehicle. If true this is a can of worms. He has disciplined employees for DWI's and they have at times been given suspensions without pay. His Sheriff's Office issues DWI complaints against the public with severe consequences. Imagine the cost to Hennepin County tax payers if he injured or killed someone?
He admittedly is held to a higher standard, and should be held to higher consequences if found to be true.
Here's the last few hours of the Schedule for the MSA winter conference.
It's quite possible he enjoyed "The Brassholes" then the cash bar before driving.
To err is human. If you're the Sheriff who's job is Public Safety, Law Enforcement and disciplining employees, and you drink and drive, the trust is broken.
It's possible he was just tired and it was an accident. If proven otherwise public trust, the integrity of the Office of Sheriff, and the respect of the rank and file would demand he step down.
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