3 days ago
Off-duty Louisville Metro Police officer arrested in Hardin County for DUI
A Louisville Metro Police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being arrested for allegedly driving a motorcycle while intoxicated in Hardin County.
An arrest citation shows that Kenneth Lawrence, 31, of Rineyville, was arrested by Kentucky State Police June 4. He is charged with a DUI, improper display of registration plates and failure to notify the proper departments of an address change.
Lawrence, who was off-duty at the time of his arrest, was driving along Dixie Highway on a motorcycle when KSP conducted a traffic stop. He had allegedly been driving with an expired registration plate and told troopers that he had just purchased the vehicle.
The LMPD officer informed KSP he was wearing his off-duty gun and was able to provide proof of registration and insurance for the motorcycle. At that time, the arresting trooper was able to smell alcohol on Lawrence and asked him if he had been drinking.
Lawrence said he had a few beers but stopped three to four hours before driving and he agreed to a field sobriety test.
KSP said in the arrest citation that Lawrence could not maintain his balance and forgot to look at his toes during the one leg stand test. Troopers believed Lawrence was "near the legal limit" and he was asked to do a breathalyzer test. After several minutes, Lawrence refused and he was arrested.
While arresting Lawrence, KSP asked if his address remained the same as on his driver's license. He provided a different address and said he had been living there for more than a month.
Lawrence was eventually taken to the Radcliff Police Department, where officials said his mouth was "visually inspected for any foreign substances." He also agreed to a breathalyzer test about an hour and a half after the traffic stop, blowing a 0.077, which is just below the legal limit.
Lawrence declined a blood test and was taken to the Hardin County Detention Center on several charges. Jail records further show that Lawrence was released at around 8 a.m. June 5.
LMPD spokesperson Matthew Sanders said the agency has launched an internal investigation.
Lawrence is set to make his first court appearance June 25.
More: After Mother's Day visit, Louisville woman says LMPD officer dragged her from her car
Reach Marina Johnson at
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Off-duty LMPD officer arrested in Hardin County for DUI
