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Bastrop police chief resigns after DWI arrest
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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Bastrop City Manager Mike Talbot announced Tuesday that Police Chief David Board resigned Monday night after a meeting with city officials.
Board was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated on Aug. 16 in Austin. His blood/alcohol level allegedly measured .226 from a breath test, nearly three times the legal limit, according to the Austin Police Department.
“Monday evening, following discussions between representatives of both the city and Chief Board, Board submitted his resignation from the city and immediately surrendered his position as chief of the Bastrop Police Department,” Talbot said in an email to The Advertiser.
Talbot said the city will allow Board to use his accrued leave time to carry him forward to Oct. 31, at which time he will be vested in full retirement. Board will receive full retirement benefits as a result of his almost 25 years of service with the police department, Talbot added.
“The city will begin efforts to fill the now vacant position of chief of police in the immediate future,” Talbot said.
Assistant Chief Matt Wagner is acting police chief.
not suprising, to me, it was expected..
it was the best solution for all parties involved..
I am glad that he finally resigned.
He should only receive retirement benefits IF he he is judged not guilty by a jury of his peers.
Despite the circumstances, I really hate to see David leave the Force. However, I do respect the decision of the City of Bastrop. I wish David nothing but the best in the future, and hope he remains as an integral part of this community, just as he has been for so many years.
Another sign that he was dedicated to the community – he didn’t use his leave up like so manyothers that use it up as soon as they get it. Only fair that he gets to run it out at the end and lucky for him, it puts him past the retirement date. Best wishes and healing to David and his family.
Are you kidding me? HE BROKE THE LAW as a member of law enforcement. He should have been suspended without pay until his trial was over. If he is found guilty he should be fired and lose his retirement. If he’s found not guilty he should be dismissed and allow him to keep his retirement. THIS IS HIS SECOND OFFENSE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Why baby a man who didn’t learn from his first mistake. This smells very fishy if you ask me!!!!
I doubt that this case will ever see a jury trial. He will probably plead guilty and avoid a jury trial. All this waiting was to have his lawyer work it out so that he can still get his retirement package.
BTW does anyone know what type of retirement package a Bastrop Police chief gets.
I believe the retirement package is not paid by the city of Bastrop. More than likely, it is from a state wide municipal worker’s fund, which he has contributed to, much like the Texas Employee Retirement System. It should not cost the Bastrop taxpayers a further penny. More than likely, about 60% of his current salary. Hey, he made a mistake and will pay for it, let’s leave him alone. It is now a private matter for Mr. Board and his family.
Using, or not using, your leave time does not mean you are dedicated to the community. Leave time is meant to be used–that is what it is there for. And not everyone who uses up their leave time, whether right away or whenever, is not committed to their job or the community.
My guess is the whole stalling before making the decision for weeks was to allow him to get close enough to use the leave time to get him past retirement. I’m glad that he will get to do thisfor his family’s sake but not sure that it was right or wrong for the city to do that. Does this set a precedent that we want or not? Who knows?
Nobody should ‘lose’ their retirement benefits after working 25-30 years, nor should they ‘lose’ any accrued leave. I don’t believe that the our system should create a situation for early retirement, but he has earned his retirement privelege and income.
He made a bad judgement call by breaking the law, and he and his family will have to work through the consequences of that behavior.
Any cop(Board excluded) will tell you that the first time someone is caught in the act of committing a crime only means that they’ve run out the law of averages. They’ve been breaking the law for some time and just so happen to have been caught at that place and time. The notion that this is an isolated incedent and should be sweeped under the rug so that this potential habitual criminal can receive his full retirement I find astounding and can’t help but wonder how many of the posts come from the desk top of David Board himself?
I welcome all respondants who give a rat’s rump on the issue to voice their oppions at wewillrecall.org
Robin,
There are PLENTY of people that loose their retirement benefits because they broke the law. Why should the ex-Chief of the Bastrop Police be any different.
Pat,
Type into a search engine “police chief fired” and after reading a bit, the arrogance of the Bastrop City Council should become enraging.