Assistant Police Chief Nabbed for Virginia DUI

Newport News places Dawn Barber on administrative leave after arrest for drunk driving in Virginia.

The Assistant Police Chief for Newport News, Virginia was arrested last Saturday for drunk driving. According to Virginia State Police, Dawn Barber, 44, was stopped on Interstate 64 around 9:40 pm and a breath test indicated she had a blood alcohol content of .12%. The legal limit for intoxication in Virginia is .08%. Barber was consequently charged with driving under the influence in Hampton, Virginia. There is no word as to what initiated the traffic stop.

Barber is a 21 year veteran with the Newport News police department. She was named assistant police chief of administration and support in 2005, making news as the highest ranking position in the police department to be held by a woman. Barber oversees the 911 dispatch center, fleet operations, property and evidence, recruiting and crime analysis divisions. She was responsible for oversight on the construction of the new police headquarters which opened last year.

Barber has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

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