January 28, 2014
By Staff
A Bellevue Police officer
charged with drunken driving on Interstate 90 near Issaquah has resigned from
the department.
“As we move forward, my hope is
that we rebuild the public’s trust and continue our focus on the great work
that the men and women of this department do every day,” Chief Linda Pillo said
in a news release.
On Nov. 20, Bellevue Police
Officer Doug Brennan stopped Hanke for swerving and speeding. Instead of
arresting the 38-year-old officer, Brennan allowed Hanke’s wife to pick him up.
Brennan then reported the incident to his superiors the next day.
When Pillo was notified of the
incident, Hanke was immediately placed on administrative leave, and Pillo
ordered concurrent internal and criminal investigations. The criminal
investigation was filed with the Issaquah Prosecutor’s Office, and Hanke was
charged in Issaquah Municipal Court with DUI.
The department is also
investigating the actions of Brennan. While officers are allowed some
discretion during traffic stops, the Brennan’s decision not to make an arrest
is undergoing a thorough and objective internal investigation, according to the
news release.
“That investigation will
determine whether the officer used poor judgment and/or failed to perform his
duties,” the release read.
Hanke was hired in 2001 as a
police support officer and in 2005 became a commissioned police officer. His
next court date is Feb. 11.
