Tiburon officer placed on leave after DUI, child-endangerment arrest in Petaluma

A Tiburon police officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested Oct. 13 near downtown Petaluma on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment.

The officer, employed by the Tiburon Police Department since June 2019, was off duty when arrested about 4 p.m. and then booked into Sonoma County Jail in Santa Rosa on allegations of child abuse with possible great bodily injury or death — a “wobbler” case that could result in a misdemeanor or felony charge punishable by up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted — plus two misdemeanor allegations of drunken driving.

One is for suspicion of impaired driving at any level of intoxication and the other for exceeding a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.08%, California’s legal limit for drivers 21 and older. Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties as well as a suspended license, according to Tiburon police.

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is reviewing the case for the potential charges.

“The Tiburon Police Department will fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation led by the Sonoma County (District Attorney’s) Office,” Chief Michelle Jean said in an Oct. 20 press statement. “In addition, the town is reviewing the circumstances of the arrest and has engaged with an independent investigator to ensure a fair and impartial review of whether any Police Department policies were violated. The Police Department holds its officers to the highest standards of conduct and, pending the results of both the criminal investigation and administrative review, will take appropriate action that reflects the values of the department.”

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