Rutland officer arrested in DUI case

An off-duty Rutland City Police officer is facing a driving while under the influence charge after he was stopped for erratic operation, Rutland police said.

Probationary Officer Justin Barrell, 25, had an alcohol level of 0.164 — twice the legal limit for intoxication — when processed after the 1:15 a.m. Saturday traffic stop, city police said.

The case marks the second DUI investigation of a police officer in Rutland County within a week. A Vermont State trooper from the Rutland barracks is on paid leave following a complaint that he had alcohol in his system while on duty Monday, officials said. No charges have been filed in that case, which remains under investigation.

Barrell was hired as a probationary officer in November and completed the part-time certification class at the Vermont Police Academy in December. He began the 16-week full-time academy Feb. 2.

Rutland Police Chief Dave Covell, who responded to the incident, placed Barrell on administrative leave. Barrell is suspended from all law enforcement duties pending an internal investigation.

Rutland Officer Ryan Ashe was conducting a proactive patrol when he spotted a SUV traveling south on North Main Street, the chief said. Ashe then observed the SUV make a wide right turn and briefly cross into the opposite lane as it began to head west on West Street, Covell said.

Ashe executed a U-turn, saw the SUV weaved slightly and ordered the vehicle to stop, Covell said. He said Ashe detected indicators that Barrell was under the influence of alcohol.

Sgt. Joe Bartlett, who responded to the scene, took over the processing of Barrell. Barrell was issued a citation ordering him into Vermont Superior Court in Rutland on March 23 on a DUI charge, the chief said.

Police also ticketed Barrell for a turning violation at an intersection and had his car towed.

"I am extremely disappointed and troubled by the alleged conduct and poor judgment exercised in this instance by Probationary Officer Barrell," Covell said in a news release.

"The men and woman of Rutland City Police Department have done an excellent job establishing trust and respect in our community and this type of behavior is in complete contradiction to our department member's high professional standards, shared values and public safety mission."

Covell said he did not expect to comment further while the internal and criminal investigations continue.

The chief said he contacted Rutland County's new State's Attorney Rosemary Kennedy, who has referred the case to the Vermont Attorney General's Office.

The AG's Office has said it also was asked to handle the case of State Trooper Eric Rademacher, who was put on leave Monday pending an investigation into a possible DUI complaint in Rutland.

State police have provided no details about the Rademacher incident.

Rademacher, who has an annual base salary of $55,279, has been a trooper about two years, officials said.

Contact Mike Donoghue at 660-1845 or mdonoghue@freepressmedia.com. Follow Mike on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FreepsMikeD.