Trooper under fire for deleting DUI evidence video

In a recent government meeting, significant discussions emerged regarding the conduct of a state trooper, identified as Mister McCain, following an incident involving a driver suspected of impairment due to alcohol consumption. The meeting revealed troubling details about McCain's actions during and after the incident, which raised questions about protocol and accountability within the department.

Trooper Alexander initially informed McCain about the driver's admission to consuming alcoholic beverages. Following this, McCain transported the driver to a hospital, where he conducted a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. However, the test was not recorded on McCain's body camera, which was not operational during the encounter. Instead, McCain used the driver's cell phone to record the test, a practice not taught in the department's training. After performing the test, McCain deleted the video from the driver's phone without permission, a decision that led to an argument with another trooper, Glenn, who arrived at the hospital.

The incident escalated when McCain expressed his intention not to prosecute the driver, despite evidence of impairment. This decision followed a history of disciplinary actions against McCain, including an oral warning in 2019 for failing to wear his body camera during an enforcement contact and a reprimand in 2021 for unsatisfactory job performance.

The meeting also highlighted a previous investigation into McCain's decisions regarding DUI arrests, where he admitted to failing to arrest at least one driver who should have been charged. This pattern of behavior raises concerns about the enforcement of DUI laws and the integrity of the department's operations.

As the meeting concluded, questions remained about the appropriateness of McCain's actions and the implications for departmental policies regarding body camera usage and evidence handling. The discussions underscored the need for accountability and adherence to established protocols to ensure public trust in law enforcement.