WASHINGTON — An off-duty DC Police officer was arrested early Saturday morning for allegedly attempting to interfere with a DUI stop involving his girlfriend while intoxicated himself.
Officer John Bewley faces charges of driving under the influence and operating a vehicle while impaired. Bewley has been with the department for more than 11 years and was most recently assigned to the department’s Emergency Response Team – a specialized unit that responds to hostage situations, active shooters and high-risk search and arrest warrants.
According to an affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court, the incident began while police were conducting a traffic stop on a woman suspected of DUI in the 1600 block of Connecticut Ave. NW, on the northwest side of Dupont Circle, around 3:30 a.m. During the stop, the woman told officers she was on the phone with her boyfriend, who was also employed by the department. The officers then saw a marked DC Police cruiser with overhead lights activated arrive and Bewley exit the vehicle.
Bewley, who was off-duty and not wearing his uniform, allegedly then made multiple attempts to get the woman to leave the scene with him and repeatedly walked past officers who ordered him to stay away. Bewley was eventually placed in handcuffs. While doing so, an officer reported noticing a “Strong odor of alcohol” coming from him. According to the affidavit, Bewley refused to submit to a sobriety test. He was then placed under arrest.
Bewley made an initial appearance before a magistrate judge Saturday afternoon and was ordered to return to court for a status hearing on Dec. 11.
In a statement to WUSA9 Sunday, DC Police said Bewley’s police powers had been suspended while an internal affairs investigation is conducted.