LAWRENCE, Ind. (WTHR) - An Indiana University director and Lawrence reserve police officer is on administrative leave after a drunk driving arrest.
Lawrence Police Reserve Officer Diane Katherine Morris-Mack was placed on leave after getting arrested in Hamilton County. Morris-Mack is also the director of emergency management and continuity at IU.
The university confirms to Eyewitness News Morris-Mack has been suspended without pay while the school gathers information on the case.
According to court records, her blood alcohol level was .155 percent during the traffic stop Thursday. That is nearly twice the legal limit in Indiana.
According to police, Morris-Mack was stopped on E. 96th Street east of Cumberland Road around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. She was asleep in the driver's seat with the vehicle running and no hazard lights on. There was reportedly vomit on her shirt and pants.
Morris-Mack reportedly told police she had been out on 82nd Street and was on her way home. She admitted to having two drinks, but failed several field sobriety tests.
Court records show Morris-Mack is charged with a criminal misdemeanor. The arrest happened as she drove her personally owned vehicle.
The police department learned about the arrest and took immediate action.
Morris-Mack is not part of the Lawrence Police Department's take-home car program. The chief of police in Lawrence plans to review the case and make further administrative decisions. Since the reserve officer failed the portable breathalizer test, according to court records, her license has been automatically suspended.
A high-ranking officer with Lawrence Police tells Eyewitness News reserve officers are a "tremendous asset" to the department for their support and contributions to law enforcement. Reserve officers do not get paid a salary for their work and are considered volunteers, but are still expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Lawrence Police Department.
