MSU Police Captain Was Highly Intoxicated with Trooper

Michigan State Police Captain Valerie O'Brien was reported to have a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit after being arrested on I-96 in WIlliamston in February.

WILX reports O’Brien was observed to have watery eyes and her eyelids were droopy. As the trooper continued to speak with O’Brien, he detected a strong odor of intoxicants on her breath even though he was wearing a mask. O’Brien also spoke with extremely slurred speech. O’Brien was asked to exit her vehicle and walk to the front of the patrol vehicle. After this request was made, O’Brien was staggering to the extreme right of the vehicle.

She also refused to take a breath test, telling the Trooper “I am not doing anything without an attorney.” While being transported to Sparrow Hospital, O'Brien seated in the patrol car was very belligerent, and kept saying (expletive) You, and said she was planning on suing him. She also volunteered that “I will own up to the fact whatever I blew was over the legal limit.” she then stated she didn’t care if she gets fired or arrested.

After arriving at Sparrow a blood test was taken that showed a level of 0.25, the legal limit in Michigan is 0.08, drivers can get stiffer penalties if they blow a 0.17 or higher. O'Brien has not been charged at this time with a crime, it’s unknown if she has representation.

Lansing State Journal reports MSU Police Capt. Chris Rozman said O'Brien is back on leave pending a review of her conduct. She has no assigned work duties and no access to university equipment, he said. "It would be inappropriate for our department to comment on the pending criminal charges being brought by independent and outside investigators and prosecutors," he said in a written statement. "We have full confidence in these outside agencies to handle the criminal case in a fair and impartial manner."

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O’Brien had told the trooper she had four glasses of wine at a restaurant. After failing a field sobriety test, and refusing to take a breath test, she was arrested.

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