S. Burlington cop suspended 4 weeks for DUI

A South Burlington police lieutenant who pleaded guilty to drunken driving has been suspended without pay for 20 work days, Chief Trevor Whipple said.

Lt. Jeffery Martel, 47, of Colchester pleaded guilty April 9 in Vermont Superior Court to driving under the influence of alcohol. Colchester police arrested him after he crashed his car into a utility pole on College Parkway in March.

"Your conduct on March 22, 2015, is a serious transgression that has brought public discredit to yourself and the Department," Whipple wrote in a letter to Martel that was released Monday, the day the suspension went into effect.

Colchester police said Martel registered a blood alcohol content of 0.113 percent during a blood test during processing at the Winooski Police Department. The legal limit for drivers is 0.08.

Colchester Officer Chris Jones, the arresting officer, told Whipple during the internal investigation that Martel had been "cordial, appropriate and did not make any request for special favor because he was a police officer," according to investigation paperwork released Monday. Martel said he told the responding officers he was a South Burlington police officer "so that there would be no surprises," Whipple wrote, following an interview with Martel.

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The state issued Martel a 90-day driver's license suspension, and he was ordered by a Burlington judge to pay $652 in fines and surcharges. Whipple said Martel also will be required to complete the CRASH program and an alcohol assessment.

An internal affairs investigation conducted by the South Burlington Police Department showed that Martel's violations included prohibited criminal conduct, conduct unbecoming an officer and violations of his oath of honor, the law enforcement code of conduct regarding private life and the law enforcement code of ethics, Whipple said.

"These are serious violations that merit disciplinary action," Whipple said. "They have also caused concern to the public. As a result we are not only sharing the outcome but sharing the documents that were created during the investigation.

"Lt. Martel has accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty to the DUI and accepting the discipline as presented," Whipple added.

Martel is expected to return to work May 18 if he complies with other conditions, Whipple said. His pay rate will be reduced by 7 percent because he is unable to perform all job functions, specifically to drive a car. Martel will be expected to have his license reinstated within 120 days, and he will be eligible to return to a normal pay rate upon reinstatement, the chief said.

Whipple said the lieutenant expressed regret for his actions and has said "he is prepared to do what is asked of him so that he can begin to repair the harm he has caused."

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.