Surprise police arrested one of their own Tuesday, saying he was impaired by a "nervous system depressant" when dropping his child off for school and collided with another vehicle. Police said Officer Mike Phillips, a rookie on the job less than a year,was arrested on suspicion of aggravated DUI and endangerment after hitting another vehicle outside Paradise Education Centers, 15533 W. Paradise Lane.

A police official said the incident did not occur on school property. Phillips was booked into Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail, police said. He is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Police said Phillips' vehicle, traveling at a low speed, ran into another vehicle with an adult at the wheel and a child inside. It's unclear where Phillips' vehicle struck the other vehicle or whether that vehicle was moving at the time.

His vehicle then slowly drifted into a light pole, where it came to a stop, said Sgt. Mark Ortega, a police spokesman.No one was injured, authorities said.

Phillips, 39, a longtime McDonald's franchise manager before becoming an officer, was hired with two other rookie officers in August.

Ortega said a breath test showed Phillipshad no alcohol in his system. Ortega said a drug-recognition expert evaluated Phillips, but was only able to show that some sort of depressant was present. That could be any number of things, including cold medicine, Ortega said.

Commander Don Schneidmiller, who oversees patrol, said Phillips was dropping off his child at school. Phillips was also booked on suspicion of endangerment because the child was present, Schneidmiller said.

In an Aug. 25 Republic article about the hiring of Phillips and two other officers, a police official said the three hires went through a rigorous background screening including a polygraph test.

Sgt. Michael Stewart, who oversees the Police Department's recruitment and hiring, said he and his counterparts at other agencies call friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers to ask about an applicant's personality and background.

He said Phillips and his fellow rookies were hired because they tested well and impressed police supervisors, Stewart said.

Lt. Penny Riherd said at the time that department officials chose to hire Phillips in part because he was new to law enforcement to maintain a balance of veterans and newcomers, Riherd said.

There are benefits to hiring novice and veteran officers.

"New guys coming in, they're absolutely new, so everything they learn is going to be the Surprise way, how we do business," Stewart said. "With laterals, they don't have to go to the academy. We save time, money and training on that aspect and they're bringing in experience, But then, there's the retraining aspect."

Veteran officers bring valuable experience but may take some time to become familiar with Surprise police policies, the sergeant said.

Phillips grew up in Missouri and lives in Waddell. He earned a business degree from Central Missouri State University and managed a McDonald's franchise with his father for more than 17 years. Earned a business degree from Central Missouri State University.

He told the Republic in August that his career goal is to become a detective.

Reporter Lisa Halverstadt contributed to this story.