After being arrested for DUI a Bloomington police officer is now back on duty, however he will not be driving a squad car.
Officer William McGonigle, 35, of Normal, was originally on paid administrative leave after his DUI, but has now been moved to restricted duty after review by an internal disciplinary panel within the Bloomington police department, said Duane Moss, the departments spokesman.
On January 31st of this year McGonigle was pulled on U.S. 51 by a State Trooper. During the traffic stop McGonigle refused to take a breathalyzer test, and as a result his license was automatically suspended.
Depending on the final outcome of the McLean County Circuit Court’s decision on the charge brought against McGonigle, and when he gets his license back, McGonigle will be responsible for duties such as foot patrol, bike patrol, and desk duty.
“When he gets his license to drive back, then his work assignment will be reconsidered,” Moss said.
On Tuesday the department released a statement saying that McGonigle, who is a six year veteran of the force, returned to work last week.
It is unclear what disciplinary action McGonigle actually faced for his crimes, Police Chief Randy McKinley would not specify due to the fact that it was a personal matter.
Since the breath test was refused by McGonigle at the time of his arrest he was not allowed to drive at all for 30 days, and will be forced to drive with an interlock device for the next 11 months.
Bloomington police said previously that they would not install an interlock device in a squad car.
No such interlock device will be installed in a squad car, stated Bloomington police. McGonigle will have to be off patrol.
The incidents that lead to his initial arrest involved McGonigle driving 83 mph in a 45 mph zone. He was then pulled over by a State Trooper who noticed McGonigle’s glassy-eyed appearance and smell of strong alcohol.
