Former Kansas police officer surrenders license after admitting to drinking on the job
A former Kansas police officer surrendered his law enforcement certification after being accused of and admitting to drinking alcohol and being intoxicated while on duty.
Chad Voth was employed as a part-time officer with the Peabody Police Department from May 20, 2020 to Aug. 27, 2022, according to a consent agreement and order of revocation from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.
The organization, also known as KS-CPOST, oversees law enforcement training and certification in Kansas.
Voth voluntarily surrendered his law enforcement certification before a hearing with KS-CPOST commissioners scheduled late last month, documents show.
Voth could not be reached for comment for this story.
The consent agreement and order of revocation document gave this account:
Voth initiated a traffic stop on Aug. 27, 2022 in which he searched a vehicle. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to assist Voth with the stop.
Deputies at the scene reported smelling alcohol coming from Voth. They said Voth’s eyes had a glassy, watery and red appearance. Deputies reported the incident to command staff after Voth left the stop in his patrol vehicle.
Back at the Peabody Police Department station, a DUI investigation began. Voth said that he drank three or four beers several hours before his shift.
Voth also claimed that he was not drinking while driving and returned to the patrol station after the traffic stop.
Voth initially denied the allegations but agreed to take a field sobriety test at the deputies’ request, the Marion County Record newspaper reported.
The deputies noted that Voth’s level of intoxication was inconsistent with his claim. He failed multiple sobriety tests.
A cooler containing two unopened cans of beer was inside Voth’s personal vehicle that was parked at the Peabody police station.
A breath test showed Voth’s breath alcohol level was over the legal limit.
In an interview with KS-CPOST officials, Voth “admitted to drinking alcohol while on-duty as a law enforcement officer,” the KS-CPOST document said.
Voth was fired from the department by the Peabody police chief the night of the investigation and was taken into custody by Marion County deputies on suspicion of driving under the influence and criminal possession of a firearm, the Marion County Record reported.
Voth was found guilty of one misdemeanor count of possession of a firearm under the influence. He is on probation until January 2024.