Salina police officer suspended after DUI arrest


SALINA — A Salina Police officer has been suspended after being arrested on requested charges of driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a breath test, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.


Salina Police Capt. Mike Sweeney said Austin Hardin, 29, was northbound in the 2100 block of South Ninth at approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday, when the 2006 Dodge Dakota pickup he was driving went into the median, struck a light pole, went into the southbound lane before going back into the northbound lane, and left the area.
A witness gave police a description of the pickup, and Hardin was stopped in the area of Ohio and Pacific.
Hardin has been an officer of the Salina Police Department for more than three years.
Sweeney said the case will go through both criminal court process and department administrative process.