The Battle Creek police officer arraigned this morning on an operating while intoxicated charge is Chad Francisco.
Officer Francisco has served 17 years with the Battle Creek Police Department.
While off duty, just before 4 a.m. on Feb. 11, Francisco was involved in a single-vehicle accident in his personal vehicle. He was subsequently arrested for drunk driving.
The accident occurred in the City of Springfield, where he struck a utility pole. No one else was involved in the accident, and Francisco was not injured.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case. An internal investigation is ongoing, and Francisco will remain on administrative leave until its conclusion.
“I have said many times to our community that we hire from the human race, not the super-human race,” Police Chief Jim Blocker said previously. “And to that end, I am not making excuses, or justifying the behavior of this officer. However, I am acknowledging that, as an employer, this is a personnel issue through which we must work with this employee.
“Further, I have thanked the Calhoun County Sheriff for the good work; no law enforcement officer wants to have to arrest a fellow officer. We will get through this through open and honest communication.”