State police officers play a critical role in the effort to curb drunk driving. They patrol the highways nonstop in search of erratic and otherwise illegal behavior, and they are often first at the scene when drunk-driving crashes occur.

But not even police officers are immune from mistakes. A commander of the state police barracks was arrested last week and charged with driving under the influence and failing to stay in his lane. The arresting officer reported that the commander failed three sobriety tests and registered a blood alcohol content of .281, more than three times the legal driving limit.

The commander, who had overseen the state police barracks for about five years, retired shortly after his arrest. There's been no word on when he'll make his first court appearance, but many have already voiced their opinions on the arrest and what it says about state law enforcement.

Although the public has already expressed disappointment in the commander's actions, citizens are also applauding the state police trooper who made the arrest for ensuring the incident wasn't quietly swept under the rug. A former state chairwoman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving who is now a volunteer adviser called the situation a tragedy, in part because the commander has so much experience when it comes to drunk driving enforcement. But she added that in her experience, someone driving with a BAC as high as the commander's usually indicates they've driven drunk before.

But until the commander sees his day in court, that notion is purely speculative. If he is convicted, he'll be subject to the same prosecution and penalties any private citizen would face. Given the public's commendation of the arresting officer's fairness, it would be fair to hope that the commander doesn't undergo unusually harsh treatment in court simply because it's his job to enforce the rules he's accused of breaking.

Source: York Daily Record, "Activists: Arrest of law enforcement official disheartening," Angie Mason, Jan. 7, 2012