In November 2013, Bellevue police officer Doug Brennan stopped fellow officer Andrew Hanke for drunk driving. Instead of arresting Hanke, Brennan reportedly called Hanke's wife to pick him up and let his fellow officer go without criminal repurcussions. This decision would end up costing Brennan his position with the department as he was fired this week, reports MyNorthwest.com.  Officer Brennan had been with the Bellevue Police Department for several years and was called upon frequently to conduct investigations of drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

Regarding the incident that lead to his termination, Brennan was reportedly driving home after his shift had ended when he saw Hanke erratically driving at a high rate of speed on east bound Interstate 90. Brennan did stop Hanke and he wrote in his report that he smelled alcohol inside Hanke's vehicle and that Hanke displayed signs of intoxication -- glazed look, bloodshot eyes, and watery eyes. Perhaps protecting his fellow officer, Brennan let Hanke go without punishment.

This week, the Bellevue Police Department announced that it was firing Brennan. The Department pointed to Brennan's decision to let Hanke go as a factor in the termination -- but not the only factor. The Department also cited that Brennan also provided false information about the stop when he told an Issaquah officer on the scene that medication and not alcohol was to blame for Hanke's erratic driving. Brennan allegedly made this statement despite knowing that Hanke was impaired by alcohol.

For his part, Andrew Hanke was placed on administrative leave and eventually resigned from the department.

Contact a King County DUI Attorney

You should know that a DUI arrest can have many different consequences on your life. In the case of Doug Brennan and Andrew Hanke, both men lost their jobs with the police department because of a DUI-related incident.

Given the severe impact of a DUI, you will want to work with an experienced attorney if you have been charged with the crime. People face severe penalties if convicted for DUI- even for a first offense.  Talk to an attorney at Wolff Criminal Defense by calling 425-284-2000 and learn how we can help you each step of the turn.  The attorneys at Wolff Criminal Defense limit their practice to representing people accused of DUI and Physical Control, and there years of experience and reputation in the legal community are exemplary.