The issue of drunk driving is especially sensitive among members of the law enforcement community. When an officer is accused of drunk driving charges, the resulting publicity or a conviction can mean the suspension or loss of a career.

A Fayetteville, North Carolina, police officer recently was arrested for DWI following an accident in his personal vehicle. Fayetteville police say the 25-year-old officer was on the police force for a year and a half, based out of the Cross Creek district.

According to reports, the young officer allegedly smashed a 2004 Chevrolet Impala into a guardrail along Camden Road on a late Thursday evening. The driver allegedly tried to disguise the crash near Whitfield Street by having the Impala towed away without informing the police department.

Investigators say the officer phoned a private towing company to remove the car, and that neither the company nor the officer contacted police about the accident. After the crash, the officer called a friend, who reportedly drove the officer home, where fellow officers arrested him after the friend contacted the police.

The officer suspected of DWI was taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center, where his blood alcohol content registered at 0.12, slightly higher than North Carolina's legal intoxication limit of 0.08. It is not known what method of testing was used.

Fayetteville police placed the man on administrative leave after he was charged and released on his own recognizance. The unpaid work suspension will remain in force through the accident investigation and could become permanent depending on the outcome of the case.

Along with the drunk driving charge, the officer faces additional charges of reckless driving and misdemeanor hit-and-run. While it may be easy for some to criticize, it's important to remember that everyone, even police, is afforded the presumption of innocence when charged with a crime.

Source: WRAL, "Fayetteville police officer charged with DWI," Bryan Mims, Jan. 6, 2012