Captain Judd Price was arrested early Sunday morning
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI -- The acting chief for the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department is on the other side of the law tonight.
Judd Price was arrested for drunk driving over the weekend.
Price is an 18-year veteran with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department.
The city manager suspended Captain Judd Price without pay.
Price also stepped down from his position as acting chief.
"it's up to us to determine what appropriate action should be taken in this particular kind of situation," said city manager Spencer Nebel.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Captain Judd Price was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence. Price was pulled over on I-75 by the Mackinac County Sheriff's Office.
“We've suspended the officer until we can complete the investigation and determine what actions we're going to take regarding this issue," said Nebel.
Spencer Nebel is Sault Ste. Marie's City Manager. He says it's already a tough time as the department transitions into hiring a new police chief.
Price was acting chief, but stepped down from that position after his DUI arrest.
"His record with the city has been a good one over his tenure with the city, and this is really an unfortunate situation for Officer Price, his family, the department, and the city as a whole," said Nebel.
In a statement released by the city, Price said he's sorry for the embarrassment and the harm that his arrest had on his family and his Department. He also indicated he accepts for responsibility for his DUI. Nebel says the city, and the department, must move forward.
“Police officers are human, they make mistakes, and the key thing I think is not the mistakes are made, but how do we deal with the mistakes, and hopefully this will be a type of unfortunate situations that will help make the Department stronger in the future," said Nebel.
The city manager named Sgt. Mel Sparks as interim police chief. Sparks is a 33-year veteran with the department.
As for the fate of Captain Price, the city will make a decision once the investigation is complete.
Price took over as acting chief of police this summer after Lou Murray retired.
