Public Drinking - Higher Standards???

Williamson County sheriff says deputy should have known better: Drinking is a sore spot in community where former sheriff ousted after public drunkenness

Previously a Williamson County Sheriff was outsted out of his public office for essentially the same thing, excepting it was clearly a PI (Public Intoxication) matter and raised much stink from the community who would go to a dry county, I think, if they could because they are such an, overall, conservative county and are tired by the issues that alcohol and drugs provided alongside other predominate issues.

Should the public servants be held out a higher standard?
I think, YES, by all means. They are constantly in the public eye and are subjected to public scrutiny at any point in time. The are role models for our children, and as such should lead by example.

Should the public servants be prevented by enjoying their lives outside of their job?
I think, NO, however, they should always be congnizant of the fact that whatever they do do is subjected to the public scrutiny at any point in time and, if what they do outside of their job, infringes upon what the public views as immoral or criminal behavior, they will certainly be held accountable. Sort of a double edge sword in many aspects; however, that is the price they pay to have the role of the public servant.




FYI: THE ARTICLE published in the Austin American-Statesman on 02/23/05...

By Melissa Ludwig

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

ROUND ROCK — Lawmen drinking and partying is a sore spot for Williamson County, something deputy Craig Ferguson should have considered before consuming beer at a Round Rock Hooters and attempting to drive home earlier this month, said Williamson County Sheriff James Wilson.

Responding Wednesday to news reports that Ferguson was stopped by police Feb. 6 for suspected drunken driving, Wilson compared the deputy's actions to those of former sheriff John Maspero, who was ousted in December 2003 amid allegations of public drunkenness.

"I am very frustrated because of the horrible impact that drinking by the (former) leader of this agency had on the whole community," Wilson said. "When our employees see that impact, I would hope that they would be completely aware of the danger of drinking in an environment where they might have to drive home, and where people may perceive them to be police officers."

According to police reports, Round Rock police officer Nathan Zoss stopped Ferguson for weaving on Louis Henna Boulevard. The deputy refused to take a field sobriety test. Zoss did not think he had enough proof that Ferguson was legally drunk to take him to jail. The officer called Ferguson's supervisors to the scene, issued him two traffic citations and allowed his wife to drive him home, the reports said.

An internal investigation into Ferguson's actions should be completed by Friday or the beginning of next week, Wilson said.

"We're trying to find what the fair thing is, not what my knee-jerk anger reaction is," Wilson said. Wilson, who took office last month, said other officers consider Ferguson a good 8-year employee.

"Good employees are not easy to come by," Wilson said. However, he said "the whole situation is not good. Bad judgment."

Wilson said he also was not pleased with Ferguson's statement to Round Rock officers that he had been drinking at Hooters with lieutenants and other brass in the agency. Only one lieutenant, whom Wilson would not name, was with Ferguson that night, he said.

"That is a significant statement . . . particularly when it's not true," he said. "It brings discredit on the people who are . . . the foundation for accountability and conduct of the agency."

In response to questions about whether the lieutenant bears responsibility for Ferguson's actions, Wilson said, "I am concerned with this whole situation. Right now we are focused on the deputy and we will let that investigation dictate where we are going from there."