CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Pineville police officer was charged with DWI after he was allegedly found asleep at the wheel in south Charlotte early Thursday, investigators said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers found a vehicle that was stopped on the side of the road around 3:30 a.m., police said. When officers got out to see what was going on, they found a man asleep in the driver's seat with the engine running. The officers woke up the driver, identified as Pineville Police Officer Christopher Jackson, who was off duty at the time.
Jackson was given a field sobriety test and arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, Pineville detectives say. He was charged with driving while impaired. Jackson was also charged with misdemeanor and felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon. Jackson was placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
His next scheduled court date is Oct. 10, records show.
The Pineville Police Department issued the following statement about Jackson's arrest:
"Pineville Police holds our officers to the highest of standards and maintaining and keeping the trust of the public is paramount. We will be as open and transparent as we can be as this incident is currently under an internal affairs investigation."
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is showing the mugshot of the suspect in this case due to his job.