Well, it seems the thin blue line has gotten a bit blurry. In a major twist, we’ve got a story that’s as ironic as a vegan at a barbecue. Buckle up, readers, because this tale of law enforcement hypocrisy is about to take you on a wild ride through the streets of Tempe, Arizona.
The Hero Becomes the Villain
Officer Zachary Hyde of the Tempe Police Department was recently hailed as a hero for his efforts in preventing drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) even presented him with an award for his stellar work. But faster than you can say “plot twist,” this officer found himself on the wrong side of the law.
On July 31, 2023, Hyde was pulled over for driving at a snail’s pace – about 10 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone. Now, we’re all for taking it slow, but this was ridiculous. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers, possibly thinking they were dealing with a particularly cautious tortoise, initiated a DUI investigation.
“Upon contacting the driver, a DUI investigation was initiated. During the investigation, the trooper determined he had probable cause that the subject was DUI. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to a substation for processing,” stated an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson.
The Fall from Grace
Hyde, who had been with the Tempe Police Department for two years, was promptly placed on administrative leave. The irony of an officer lauded for DUI prevention being arrested for the very same offense wasn’t lost on the media, as many outlets were quick to point it out.
“Any time a criminal investigation is brought to our attention about one of our officers, we take the matter very seriously,” the Tempe police stated.
However, it was merely a month before that the police department posted online congratulating Hyde for receiving the Hero Award at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Law Enforcement recognition banquet. The department applauded his “work and diligence” in keeping the streets safe.
MADD, which had just honored Hyde on June 30, was quickly informed of the accusations against him. Their reaction is unknown.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even those sworn to uphold it. It also highlights the importance of holding our law enforcement officers to the highest standards. After all, if we can’t trust the cops to follow the rules, who can we trust?
Sources
- Tempe Police officer lauded by anti-drunk driving group accused of DUI
- Tempe officer lauded for DUI work arrested for DUI
