Vevay PD
officer
arrested on OWI charges, fired
On Tuesday evening, July 21st, a Vevay Police Department officer was arrested on initial charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Official Misconduct.
Vevay Chief of Police David Wolf released a statement that officer Chris Pellant was on duty on Tuesday evening, July 21st, when it was suspected by other officers that he might be intoxicated.
Officers with the Vevay Police Department immediately responded, and found that Officer Pellant was above the legal limit for blood-alcohol content.
At that time, deputies with the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department placed Pellant under arrest and lodged him in the Switzerland County jail, where he awaited his initial hearing.
On Friday, July 22nd, Chief Wolf released a second release:
Last night’s actions of one of our officers tarnished our department and betrayed the trust of our community.
I strive to maintain a high moral and ethical police department and expect nothing less from those officers that serve under me. No one is exempt from prosecution if they choose to disregard the laws of the State of Indiana, or the rules of our department.
While I cannot go into detail on this criminal investigation, I want to assure the people of our community that these kinds of actions will not go unpunished. I consider law enforcement an honorable profession and take my position seriously. We hold our officers to a high standard and if they fall below that standard, appropriate actions will be taken.
I do not want this officer’s individual actions to reflect harshly on the other officers who are holding themselves to that higher standard within this department. I commend those officer’s for standing up to the rule of law and doing what is right.
Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details will be given out at this time.
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The Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the investigation. Chief Wolf said that Officer Pellant has been relieved of his duties with the Vevay Police Department.
The chief also notes that all charges are pending, and Pellant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.