Thursday, January 03, 2008

Principal charged with drunken driving, as students petition board for leniency

More from the Indianapolis Star:
The Hamilton County [Indiana] prosecutor today charged Fishers High School principal Scott Syverson with drunken driving, 12 days after he failed a breath test and a police officer drove him home instead of arresting him.

Syverson’s apparent intoxication during a police stop on Dec. 22 is also being investigated by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees, which will meet Friday to discuss the case — and Syverson’s fate...

...At the same time the charges were announced, a group of Fishers students were getting signatures on their petition supporting the principal.In an attempt
to influence the board’s decision, Fishers High School senior and class president Mike Dunn organized a petition drive that brought dozens of students to the school Wednesday.Sitting at the school’s entrance, he obtained 141 signatures for presentation to the board...

...“I’m a big supporter of second chances,” said 18-year-old Sara Ling, a Fishers High School senior and student body president who was among those to sign the petition.“And I think the school should give him one.” ...

After media reports on the incident... Syverson presented a public apology for his behavior.“I am profoundly saddened and disappointed because I could have made far better choices and failed to do so,” his written statement said.

The Fishers police have also been under pressure for preceived preferential treatment. Captain Dave Dunbar who told the [non]arresting officer to use his discretion, acknowledged some responsibility for the incorrect decision. In a statement, Chief George Kehl said,
"...We will not punish, reprimand, or suspend Officer Kobli. He has been punished enough.

The lesson learned here is that our policy toward managing arrests of suspected drunken drivers needs to be reviewed and refined. We will begin this process immediately."

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