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14 In 1984, long before being named Bastrop’s police chief, David Board was arrested for a DWI after being pulled over for speeding and subsequently performing a field sobriety test, according to court records.
Such are a few of the details from Board’s first DWI conviction that are now being scrutinized in light of the police chief’s most recent DWI arrest this week.
On Monday night in Austin, Board, 46, was pulled over in the 300 block of Ed Bluestein Road after an Austin Police Department officer noticed his Ford truck swerving off the shoulder and making a left hand turn from a right lane, according to an arrest affidavit.
Board’s eyes were seen as being “bloodshot” and “glassy” and during the field sobriety he was observed “wobbling” and “swaying” and “staggering,” the affidavit said.
Board told officers he had consumed three to four beers. A breath test was reportedly administered registering Board’s blood alcohol level at .226, almost three times Texas’ legal limit.
After being booked and charged with a DWI, Board was released from the Travis County Jail Tuesday morning on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond, and according to Bastrop City Manager Mike Talbot, has since been placed on leave.
Board, who joined the Bastrop Police Department in July 1986 at the age of 21, was arrested for his first DWI on Dec. 1, 1984, according to court records of the incident.
That evening, a Texas Highway Patrol officer observed his Chevrolet Impala speeding while headed west on Loop 230 just outside Smithville.
Pulling the vehicle over, the officer noticed Board appeared to be intoxicated and performed a field sobriety test, during which time he “could not maintain his balance without swaying” the report said.
An opened bottle of Canadian Club whisky was found under the front seat, along with a half full beer on the floorboard and two more empty beer cans in the rear floorboard.
Board told officers he had been at a friend’s house in Smithville and that he had consumed four or five Miller Lights.
A breathalyzer test registered his blood alcohol level at .15 percent. Board was convicted of the DWI in February 1985 and sentenced to two years probation. He was released from probation in August 1985.
On Tuesday, Bastrop City Manager Mike Talbot said he had met with Board and that the chief needed to “address personal matters that require his immediate time and attention.”
Asked again on Thursday afternoon for an update, Talbot said he was still considering Board’s status with the city.
“I’m spending a lot of time evaluating it and taking into account a lot of issues and factors as they relate to this matter,” Talbot said. “It’s rating someone who has had 24 years of stellar performance for the city so there a lot of things I need to look at before just jumping out there and forming a decision.”
Asked whether the city has a policy that allows the hiring of those with misdemeanor convictions, Talbot said he was unclear as to the exact procedures and policies under the police department’s manual.
Talbot did confirm, however, that Board disclosed his initial DWI conviction on his resume before being hired in 1986.
This is very embarassing for our entire community. To hear the radio talk shows in Austin making fun of Bastrop and it’s drunken “Mayberry’esque Police Chief” is just sad. They seem shocked that Chief Board was not fired right away…and frankly so am I.
I have a problem with anyone getting bail on a second DWI.
He was able to get bail having at having a alcohol level almost 3 times the legal limit.
Was that because he was a police chief the city of Bastrop?
Does the regular person get bail after a second DWI? If so what is the bail?
Some more questions…. Why did he not complete the WHOLE 2 years probation on the first DWI? He ended up completing only 6 months of the 2 years probation. Is that because he was a police officer? Does this happen to all persons that have had probation for their first DWI?
I sincerely hope Mr. Talbot and others who will make the decision about Mr. Board’s future employment remember that Mr. Board has indeed shown a stellar performance in his job as Police Chief and let him continue in this capacity. With the shame and legal consequences of his public stumble, I am sure Mr. Board will be exceedingly careful about stepping over the line again as he has been brought back to reality. It is in Bastrop’s best interest to keep what has worked well for many years.
Lisa says:
August 20, 2010 at 8:55 am
“I sincerely hope Mr. Talbot and others who will make the decision about Mr. Board’s future employment remember that Mr. Board has indeed shown a stellar performance in his job as Police Chief …”
Lisa, the key word above is HAS. The fact remains he chose to drink and drive. He willfully chose to violate the law he swore to uphold. Everyone forgets the possibility of what could have happened had an Austin Officer not stopped him. He was extremely intoxicated behind the wheel and we have all too often been witness to the tragedy this CRIMINAL behavior brings.
If Chief Board is such the great Police Chief that people insist he is, then he should have resigned the moment he was released from the Travis County Jail. He should have released a statement condemning his own criminal behavior, and apologized to the citizens of Bastrop and the citizens of Austin to whom he put in danger. Think about the message it will send to the men and women he leads if he is allowed to stay. Criminal behavior by our Law Enforcement Officers is completely unacceptable no matter how good a job he has done before, or how well he is liked. I’ll ask you this Lisa, “How much police corruption or criminal behavior do you consider acceptable”?
@ Lisa – have you ever worked for or under Mr. Board? What is seen on the outside by the community and what happens in the office of the police department are two entirely different things. There are many officers, good ones at that, that have come through the doors of our police department and left to go find positions at other departments, some of which pay less, just to not be under the eye of David Board.
One question that hasn’t been addressed is who was with Mr. Board on that Monday night? Was he putting someone elses life in direct danger? Why would someone that had just started his work week be in such a condition so early in the evening when he had to report into work the next morning at 8 am. I am glad he was stopped when he was and was not given the opportunity to report in to work the next morning too hungover to perform his duties.
I have a question for Mr. Talbot. What happens if you keep Mr. Board and another officer gets a DUI? Do you fire that officer? You better not or there will be a lawsuit. You see there really is no choice here. You have to fire Mr. Board. Where do you draw the line? What about other criminal offenses? If an officer beats his wife, is that acceptable? Drugs? The list goes on and on. Mr. Talbot where does Bastrop draw the line? I would seriously like you to publicly answer that question before or after you decide Mr. Board’s future with the city but please answer it.
Small town politics go figure, chances are board won’t be fired, or it would have happened already and that is disturbing. Almost want another bastrop officer to get a DWI just to see what will happen. I’m sure he/she would be out the door, i’ll be the first to write in and say but they did a great job blah blah blah. Mr. Talbot i am very well aware you know what you need to do so man up and do it! This has nothing to do with friendship its not your fault board got a DWI. I can only hope there is at the least a investigation that is being conducted by an “outside agency” to find out more facts. Was there another officer with board in the car? if so whats being done about that? The city needs to at a minimum make board surrender his police officer certification so he doesn’t go get another police job somewhere else and does the same thing since our city officials can’t do their job please don’t give another city our problems. bye bye board hopefully you have set the stage for what we don’t want as a police officer much less a chief of police. MINIMUN requirements to even apply for such a job should be 4 years active duty military or a 4 year degree with 20 plus years expierence and a master peace officer license NO!! family violence arrests and NO!! DWI arrests (just looked it up, it’s not hard people) and for that matter the asst chief right now doesn’t meet those minimun requirements either so why is he the asst chief ? let me guess he’s a good guy, blah blah blah!!! We deserve better am i asking for too much?
Why all the hating on David Board? What does the Trent family have against him? Let the first who is without sin throw the first stone…
It is unbelieveable that some are supporting the idea that this man is above the law!
In light of new facts concerning David Board’s condition at the time of his arrest, I now feel it would be best if he stepped down as Bastrop Chief of Police, but I do not believe he should be fired from the Police Department. However, I feel there should be certain conditions that should be met in order for him to remain with the Force.
Perhaps a two-year probation, along with alcohol counciling, and mandatory alcohol/drug testing could be a few conditions. Performing Community Service with outreach programs geared toward students would be appropriate. There are any number of ways David could “pay” for his indiscretions, while continuing to serve this community at the same time.
There sure seems to be a great many stones thrown at Chief Board, and I would be willing to bet many are heaved from glass houses. Yes, I agree David Board should pay, but in ways to better this community, to better himself, and to continue serving the citizens of Bastrop as he has done over the years.
The past is the past, and should remain there. The present is what is being discussed here, and what must be decided now. But most important is the future, and that is something that David Board will have to prove to Bastrop, and to Bastropians. For all he has done for Bastrop, I think David Board deserves that chance.
@B.Bad’air
I am sure that nobody hates David Board. I know that I don’t hate him.
We just want him to face the same punishments, if convicted, that the average person gets, when convicted of a second DWI .
Cops are held to a higher standard of conduct than the average person.
The average person, for a dwi 2nd with no wreck or injuries, faces a 2 year probated sentence from the courts. This has been the standard punishment uniformly across the State for several decades for dwi.
The average person does not lose their job. I say keep Chief Board on as Chief. He’ll have to do probation for two years for his court case, plus whatever probation the City would place him on. Additionally, install an alcohol interlock in his city and personal vehicles, at his expense.
David did one thing that few elected or appointed officials, or even regular “joe the plumber citizens” do when arrested for dwi. He followed the law and blew a breath sample. He didn’t have to do that. He wasn’t arrested in a city vehicle, and wasn’t working when this happened.
Remember that our police officers often suffer from what is called “secondary wounding”, which is an intense post traumatic stress disorder brought about by years of handling death, child abuse and other heinous crimes. I suspect David is suffering from PTSD and secondary wounding. It is quite common for doctors, nursers, psychologists, social workers, police and other public servants that deal with bad cases to have secondary wounding, and to self medicate to deal with it.
If any of the above posters calling for David’s dismissal have NEVER driven dwi in their entire lives, then perhaps they have the right to criticize him and demand his firing. Otherwise, they’re living in glass houses throwing stones. Also, if any of those calling for his firing have ever had the guts to strap on a gun and a badge for a living, please say so as well. I personally don’t think you have the right to demand his firing if you’ve never served your country/city as David has and if you’ve never seen the horrid things he’s seen.
Crackheads, burglars, those who assault and a wide variety of other criminals get second chances in this county all the time. Every week. Why should a decent man who made one mistake be treated differently?
@B.Bad’air
I don’t have anything personal against Board. I do not think his actions should be tolerated though. I never said I am without sin and this has nothing to do with sin. It has everything to do with our laws and I’m sure that he better than anyone knows what the consequences can be as a result of drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car. I had a very good friend thrown from a vehicle and killed as a result of he and another friend drinking and driving. The driver was in a coma for about 6 months as well. He lived but not without lasting effects from the wreck. I don’t tolerate drinking and driving. I don’t drink. I used to and I used to drive afterwards as well when I was young. When my friend was killed I stopped that. I learned my lesson. A costly lesson but I learned. Board had a DUI before and no doubt has witnessed the results of many such accidents and he hasn’t learned. What does this tell you about him as a leader? I do not think he is fit to be the police chief based on this. I’m sorry I don’t. He should be held accountable. Many on here think he should be given a pass simply because he is a good guy. I don’t agree. He should have known he could and should lose his job when he did what he did. I would bet this is only his second time to be caught, at least caught and publicized, but I doubt it is only the second time he has drank and got behind a wheel. Do you think his luck is soooooo bad that the only 2 times he has ever done it he was caught both times? I’m not that naive. Like I said, I think personally he is a great guy and as a chief he has done wonderfully but this isn’t something that can be swept under the rug. This underminds his authority and it will set a very bad precedent if they keep him. I’m not condemning him to Hell or saying he can’t work a normal job but this type of job where he is sworn to uphold the law is not a job he now can do without people questioning his authority and arguing that this is a precedent that has been set when the need serves them. I wish no ill will to the man and his family but at the same time I have to do and speak my mind about what is best for my family and what I feel is best for my community. Board no longer fits in that equation as police chief.
Only in Bastrop… HA