Undersheriff arrested for DUI, but not jailed
June 6, 2010 8:58 pm
By KAREN VELIE
Atascadero Police arrested San Luis Obispo Undersheriff Steve Bolts for driving under the influence on El Camino Real near Del Rio Road on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., according to the police log.
Bolts, 56, was booked at the Atascadero Police Department and then released with a citation. There were five driving under the influence and drunk in public arrests made on Friday and Saturday in Atascadero. Except for Bolts, all other arrestees were transported to San Luis Obispo County Jail, according to the police log.
In Atascadero, police either book and release or transport drunk drivers to jail, according to the police log.
Officers secured Bolts’ Ford truck and left it at the scene.
In 2004, Sheriff Pat Hedges created the second-in-command undersheriff position as part of a restructuring that put a buffer between the sheriff and his staff. Bolts said he plans to step down when a new sheriff takes over at the end of year.
According to sheriff insiders, Bolts has been running the department for Hedges.
“Hedges is gone most of the time and has Bolts do his work in his absence,” said one sheriff’s department employee who asked to remain anonymous.
Hummmm, “Senior Officer Matt Chesson and the night’s watch commander, Sgt. Robert Molle, responded to an anonymous call”
Officer Chesson, that name kept bothering me this morning, it was way in the back of my mind someplace but now I know why it bothered me. He is the officer that didn’t arrest the criminals that he encountered in Atascadero with Lisa Solomon’s stolen gun!
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He may be the same officer but, I assure you, he was instructed by his Sergeant and Chief Mulhall what he could and could not do in both situations. This guy has to put food on the table and you can’t buck Mulhall without committing careericide. Remember the article about the Chief talking loudly on the phone and getting their story’s straight and telling the person on the other end (Solomon) not to worry about “Gerry” (Shea) ?.
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Oh My, I was reading the updates this morning and the following just slapped me right in the face.
“Officers arrested the undersheriff after he failed a field sobriety test to determine dexterity and coordination, Mulhall said, as well as a preliminary alcohol-screening device one breathes into but is different than a Breathalyzer.”
“After Bolts’ arrest and subsequent trip to Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton for a blood test, he was released Saturday night from department headquarters on a citation requiring a promise to appear in court.”
The key words here are – ” a preliminary alcohol-screening device one breathes into but is different than a Breathalyzer.”
It is my understanding that when a citizen fails the “field sobriety test to determine dexterity and coordination”, they are then offered either a “breathalyzer” or a blood test. They can not take a “breathalyzer” and then decide that they don’t like the result and ask for a blood test. I have never heard of this device that Mulhall describes as a, “screening device one breathes into but is different than a Breathalyzer.” I contacted a person who recently was arrested for DUI and inquired, they had no idea what I was talking about and they were never offered to check and to what they might be “blowing” before they decided what to do.
The concern here is that the more time that passes between an arrest and a BAC test the more time the person is afforded to allow the BAC to drop. I would be interested in the time sequence between when Bolts took this (unknown and generally not offered to the general public) test that is “different than a Breathalyzer”, and the time that lapsed before he was blood tested at Twin Cities Hospital.
Maybe this is something new? Does anyone know anything about this device that is not a Breathalyzer but measures the BAC in your breath and allows a suspect a choice, where a choice, otherwise would not have been legally afforded the suspect?
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Cindy
The field “breathalyzer” is exactly that, a tool in the field to help make the proper decision. The breathalyzer that is used at either the police station or booking facility is a much more sophisticated piece of equipment that is monitored and calibrated on a scheduled basis.
Regarding the time frame from arrest to test it works both ways. After the last drink it normally takes close to 1 hour for the body to absorb the alcohol which would then indicate what the highest BA would be and contrary the opposite would be true in regards to obtaining a low number. The body composition of the person is also a factor. During the interview an attempt is made to determine when the last drink was taken. All of these factors usually come out during a court hearing.
The breathalyzer or blood test is not the only indicator used to determine whether someone is to be arrested for DUI. It normally starts with erratic driving, an interview, observation of the person, a field sobriety test and then if an arrest is made a blood or breathalyzer test is administered. There is always the possibility of a low breathalyzer test reading when drugs may be involved.
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Yes, I agree with you. I received a phone call from someone who is very knowledgeable and they told me the same thing. I guess the field sobriety gadget is standard and has been around for a while, it is used as the final test just before an arrest is made. I never heard of that and I have to remember that the person I asked about it was drunk at the time so they probably received that test and they don’t remember. I agree that Bolts was treated exactly like any other citizen.
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Now that is interesting. I wonder if he tried to “fool” the breathalyzer test with any of those common myths that circulate. Do you know anything more about this new device, ie, how it measures BAC? Let me know if you hear more. I’ve heard most breathalyzers measure breath, and get messed up by mouth alcohol, so maybe this one focuses specifically on mouth alcohol.
http://lawblog.legalmatch.com/2010/06/17/top-breathalyzer-myths-debunked/
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While I remain a supporter of Jerry Lenthall, I encourage each of you to vote today regardless of your candidte of choice. It is so critically important to clean up the Sheriff’s Department and several have the skills. Best of luck to each candidate and may the citizens of San Luis Obispo County win.
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Well said Ssc, we have all done our part to promote the men that we believe are best suited to fill the positions that we will be voting for today. Tomorrow many of us might find that we are now in agreement, where we previously might not have been, as we will move towards a run off. With that said I am going to wholeheartedly reiterate your last words.
“Best of luck to each candidate and may the citizens of San Luis Obispo County win.”
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BTW, I’ll be voting for CORTEZ, I believe he is the best man for the job, he is well rounded, well educated and experienced beyond any other candidate running for Sheriff. He is and not a hand shaking Good Ole Boy, never was and never will be and that is a very important aspect of this race.
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KSBY is reporting that Bolts was released to none other than PAT HEDGES. Ya got scooped CCN!
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“In 2004, Sheriff Pat Hedges created the second-in-command undersheriff position as part of a restructuring that put a buffer between the sheriff and his staff. Bolts said he plans to step down when a new sheriff takes over at the end of year.”
So Bolts plans to step down does he, duh!!! Bolts can’t find his nuts,…Or Bolts is nuts,if he thinks he can walk away from this one. He ought to be stepping out of jail at the end of the year, if you guys and girls, think for one minute this is the first time this officer has done this, and just happened to get caught this one time. You must also believe that Homer Simpson is a real live person.
$780,000 to drive around drunk everyday! What a life these guy’s have! And was he armed and drunk at the time of his arrest, I would imagine so, what if he had a collision and then popped a cap in the oncoming car’s driver, free ride home then too?
Seriously was he armed with a 14 shot double stack forty-five caliber pistol, while driving drunk? This is not in the book on how to protect and serve!
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“An officer and police sergeant responded to an anonymous call at 8:23 p.m. Saturday alleging Bolts, 56, was driving north on Falda Road while intoxicated, Mulhall said.Preliminary investigations show that Bolts’ blood alcohol content was above the legal driving limit, a prior to this there were two small children in the car? Raises an eyebrow because the tipster was correct that he was drunk, so that would likely make him correct that there were two small children driving with Bolts moments prior to his arrest, that’s a whole new charge, child endangerment, another question of mind is how many times in the past has he got away with this and was he armed at the time of his arrest, seems he would have been. I wonder how much payed leave and probation he will get. Shame on you Bolts.
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“The anonymous caller also said Bolts had “two small children” in the vehicle with him, Mulhall said, but the responding officer determined Bolts was alone at the time of contact.” Like I said, another charge, jee, think internal affairs will look into it boss? And from the photo with the bac. evidence he looks hammered. My hat is off to the “good A-town cop” who arrested him and then had his touch down pass stripped away.
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“Seriously was he armed with a 14 shot double stack forty-five caliber pistol, while driving drunk?”
Cheese, Bolts was off duty and attending a party for his kids. He was driving his own truck. I don’t think he had his big gun on him but one never knows.
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Cheeseburger: You seem like an experienced officer and hinted at something I had heard before from a detective “We never catch them the first time they commit a crime.” Alcohol, truck, guns and kids, great recipe for a disaster.
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Experienced enough to know who ripped me off and this county off. I wish I saw this coming, like John Linderman from Los Osos, sheriffs kind of messed that one up, to put it very lightly, then John, my friend and mind you a school teacher, has been, beat up by the sheriffs and looses in Federal Court. The whole fiasco pending from the sheriffs trespassing on John Linderman’s property,,,,,!!!!
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Sorry, you kind of lost me. I’m not sure what you mean.
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This post really belongs down the page to a post by SaveSloCounty. She say’s : “I can’t even imagine how to justify returning a drug-smuggling cop back to a job of trust. The two in SLO got off lightly through the court system but Linden cannot possible keep them employed and maintain a shred of confidence in her or the police department.”
There is a group who plans to attend the SLO CC meeting to address the above concerned subject during public comment on June 8th. Because tomorrow is election day and some people will be involved in other activities it has been suggested that we push this off until the June 22nd meeting. I know there are also people who plan to address the problem with the taxi cab monopoly. If people would like to wait two weeks on this you will see some of us there at the podium then.
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Right on Cindy, I know there are many here who would like to know why we are spending a fortune keeping these cops in beer and chips while on leave for a couple of felonies. Parkinson said on the air a few weeks ago that the feds have note yet given them any info to proceed on. That sounds rather incredible to me. If any of us had been busted at the border we would have been doing time within a month-and no time off with pay!
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This was discussed among a group yesterday after Church. Some will write letters and we have asked two to speak. I’ll let them know about this latest post, as of now, they plan to speak at the SLO City Council tomorrow.
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Great job MarkJames. The elected representatives need to know that the majority of the community is sick about several of the current actions and lack of decisiveness by our law enforcement leaders.
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Cindy.. I think the next meeting i actually June 15th.
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Chief Mulhall confirmed that Sheriff Hedges picked up Bolts from the station. I guess that really shouldn’t be a surprise.
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Just more evidence of arrogant corruption within our government. “Do what I say, not what I do” mentality.
I’m relatively new to the area, but from what I’ve been hearing and reading lately, if the citizenry is so displeased with the Sheriff’s performance in how he’s been running the department, why hasn’t he been recalled? I haven’t heard one person say anything to indicate they’d oppose it, so why has everyone been putting up with an elected official they don’t like? Is apparently costing them money, and is not even on the job any more? What gives? You can’t recall the undersheriff because he’s not elected, but you can certainly recall the person who created the position.
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It’s too late to recall the sheriff now because it’s too close to election time, but I guess what I’m asking is if this displeasure has been going on for years, why hasn’t he been recalled?
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Really hard to do, people are busy and lazy. And CCN has only been around for a short time, no one else ever reports this stuff. But now that CCN has been informing us of the muck around us it is up to us to do something about all the graft. Our DA is worthless, the courts are clumsy and often worthless, many of our elected folks are relatively worthless. That leaves us. And this isn’t any two bit tea bag crap, those people (I use the term loosely) are the modern Gestapo. I mean real people who want a better community, not just more for themselves and to hell with everyone else. If the real people around here got together for positive change things would jump.
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For a long time, this area was able to expect a lot more from its elected officials… There wasn’t really outward transparency, but if you were really interested no one would bother to hide information. I don’t think anyone was prepared for the likes of Hedges, and I think most people just wanted to believe that all the stories were typical criticisms of law enforcement. I think that part of the problem is that over the last 10 years, there has been a huge shift in law enforcement agencies away from being an arm of the local government, and towards being an arm of the federal government, accompanied by a lot more secrecy and a lack of respect for localized issues.
I think that if the position weren’t up for election, it wouldn’t have gone on much longer without some kind of conflict.. But taking on a Sheriff is a pretty daunting task.
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Good point. The BOS can’t control the Sheriff but they sure control the budget and position allocations. Election day would be the perfect opportunity to show the citizens that you are in fact our elected representatives and offer proof.
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I am very disappointed that the Board of Supervisors can not intervene and eliminate the Undersheriff allocation and save a huge amount of money. The position can be restored if it fits into the next Sheriff’s management structure in January. It is time for them to take back control of the county government and call Sheriff Hedges into the executive session tomorrow morning and abolish Mr. Bolts position. Bolts has pulled off one of the largest financial rip-offs of tax dollar in modern time through a tiny loophole. Gentlemen, it is time to step up to the plate and close the loophole and stop the financial bleeding. It would also help to restore some dignity to the remainder of your hard-working employees. Katcho? Gibson? Hello, anybody?
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Bolt’s definitely has to go. I don’t know if his position is superfluous but I have been concerned about him providing the public, his services at the level he holds for some time. I know that Bolt’s was involved in the cover up of a murder of a young woman. It wasn’t until he was removed from the case (5 years later) that another detective who knew that a murder rather than a suicide had occurred took charge and did the right thing. The evidence was over whelming right from the start. The detective whose name I believe is Donovan reopened the case, exhumed the deceased body and proved she was murdered. The detective also knew that he believed who “had done it”. It was a Grover Beach LEO. The case remains open as a homicide but to date they haven’t been able to make an arrest. Maybe if Bolt’s hadn’t covered up for 5 years, things would have turned out different.
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I think his name is Bolts, Bolt’s is possessive and not his name.
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Thumbs Up hotdog, Don’t know why I am sticking that apostrophe in there, don’t have a clue but if you didn’t point it out to me, I bet that I would have kept it up for a while.
Thank You
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Reminds me of an old Stones jingo, ‘Sticky Fingers’!
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This is really too much. You all know that I am the first one to scream foul when I perceive that a LEO or a law is wrong. Many of you are completely ignoring the fact that I have told you that PD’s in general including APD often cite and release. Mkanney mentions that he is surprised that I seem so relaxed about this recent arrest. Yes I am relaxed because I know that the APD didn’t treat Bolt’s any different than they would any other local polite citizen that was under the influence but not what most of us would call DRUNK. I’m very pleased that the cops went right out there and did the right thing. They saw another cop doing wrong and they arrested him. I’m satisfied.
What’s interesting for me, is watching all of you right now. I have to tell you that you appear to want to find something wrong with the police. You don’t want to consider that APD did treat him like any other citizen. I know i would normally be right in there with you. In the case I know they did nothing wrong.
We tear cop’s apart when they screw up or are even perceived to have erred in some fashion. We should give them a high 5 when they do a good job, like arrest a brother. Bolts will pay worse than the average citizen for this crime because of the line of work he is in. That should be enough for us?
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The four other arrestees on Friday and Saturday would disagree with how equal the treatment was. I too applaud the officer that made the arrest but can not support the leadership decision not to book him into County Jail. Attempting to minimize or rationalize the level of intoxication is a new standard and the previously identified “dirtbag” standard is discriminatory. According their web-site the Atascadero PD received $100,000 traffic safety grant for DUI enforcement and $50,000 for a combined DUI and seatbelt enforcement. I don’t think they need to worry about the reimbursed booking charges. Sorry Cindy, this one stinks. I’ll bet you your bail money that if you were arrested for DUI in Atascadero, you would be booked at the county jail.
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First, let me point out that we don’t know how many DUI’s vs DIP’s there were. They “have to” take a DIP to jail. Second, it is not “standard” to jail DUI’s. Even in LA they cite and release them. Over the last 25 years I have known at least 7 or maybe 8 people who were charged with a DUI. Some from the Central Coast, some from SO CAL and 2 from N CAL. Only one of them went to jail and that is because they had been involved in an accident.
Don’t bet me any bail money, I picked up a friend of mine less than 6 months ago at the A-town PD. Guess what for?
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Actually, you are welcome to go to the daily activity log on the PD web-site and count them. I don’t want to do it again as their were 13 pages just for Saturday.
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go Cindy!
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I think you are confusing my words with someone else’s. I never mentioned that I’m surprised you seem so relaxed about this arrest. In fact I say I agree with the cite and release. My very first comment was simply saying that the soon to be ex-wife calling him in was no excuse for the drunk driving.
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Yes, I did confuse your words with someone else’s. He is another poster here who I enjoy and respect. :)
Sorry.
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I want to make a point here which is probably going to be extremely unpopular. I think drunk driving laws are out of control and I think the statistics have been grossly distorted. (Note that I have never been arrested for a DUI/DWI). Also, I have no problem with the police citing and releasing someone who they feel comfortable with to a sober driver.
However, that being said, hypocricy *really* rubs me the wrong way. Police officers *should* be held to a higher standard, *especially* if they are going to receive the compensation they feel they deserve. Police officers who are arrested for a DUI or any other charge should have to experience the full punishment, and that includes a night in the drunk tank. Then, and only then, should they be allowed to resume their job.
In the case of the two officers arrested with smuggling drugs… if they received the same sentence that anyone else would (which would generally be 6-12 months in federal prison for a first time offense of that nature), then I wouldn’t have as much of a problem with them resuming their job later. Repeat offenses should lead to job loss though. I think it would strengthen their respect for the laws they uphold, and the people they arrest.. I certainly don’t think Nine+ months of paid leave, $25, and a year of probation is going to lead to officers that have respect for anyone but themselves.
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Mkaney,
Your comments are always sober and wise, even if not agreed to. Since I often rant, like many others here, it is always a pleasure to read a measured and calm comment that has power in its wisdom.
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Thank you!
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I can’t even imagine how to justify returning a drug-smuggling cop back to a job of trust. The two in SLO got off lightly through the court system but Linden cannot possible keep them employed and maintain a shred of confidence in her or the police department. There are certainly many family members who have lost a loved one by a drunk driver that would disagree with your train of thought.
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I’m sure there are. But people lose family members in all kinds of accidents. Frankly there are people whose driving skills while intoxicated (while not better than when they are sober) are still much better than other people who are sober. Lots of accidents are caused by people who are self absorbed and therefore not paying attention, or putting on makeup, changing a CD, etc…
What is the difference between someone being killed by a drunk driver as opposed to a self-absorbed driver? Nothing really, except the drunk driver will be villianized to a MUCH greater extent, and public statements about the drunk driver will be a thousand times more dramatic and judgemental. In fact, I’ve never read a single article that stated that someone was killed by a self-absorbed driver, not one.
That point aside, I simply think people should be held accountable for what they do, not what they might do. If someone causes an accident through any form of negligence, they should be held responsible for the outcome regardless of their state of mind.
Do drunk driving laws decrease drunk driving accidents? If the possibility of killing someone isn’t enough to stop someone from driving drunk, I seriously doubt that the possibility of a couple thousand dollar fine is going to be the deciding factor.
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I will go one farther than that mkaney. This is a post that people ‘really’ aren’t going to like. I agree that people should be charged for what they do, not what they might do. The majority of accidents are caused from self absorbed distracted drivers, true. Reason’s like looking for a particular CD, eating a hamburger that dripped on you, applying makeup or looking in the mirror to see how bad your latest blemish appears, reaching on the floor board for your water bottle, looking at the pretty lady in the lane next to you and of course the big one is TEXTING. Very few people are involved in an accident over a .08 blood alcohol content or even a .10 for that matter, these low BAC levels are rarely the cause. It has become villainized beyond reason when one considers l the low BAC that qualifies a DUI charge. I believe it’s more about money than anything else. It’s been about MADD lobbyist, politicians playing to the public and filling local coffers.
It’s also a fact and can be backed up with plenty of statistics. Currently an accident involving a DUI driver who wasn’t as fault is still considered ‘alcohol related’ for statistical purposes.
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Yeah it’s not real popular to criticize MADD. In fact I’ll try to sidestep around it myself and just say that ANY lobbyist group can get out of control.
Misuse of statistics is a hallmark of this entire country and its media. Unless a statistic is accompanies by a ton of qualifying information, it’s worthles.. That includes all federal government indicators. Example: The job report last week said +435,000 jobs, and the media acts like its responsible to qualify that with the fact that 411,000 were census jobs. What they didn’t tell you is that another 225,000 are from something called the birth/death adjustment, meaning we actually lost about 200,000 jobs. Also many of those census jobs were actually for the same people, who are terminated and then rehired by the census.
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I completely agree with the both of you. I know that when they lowered the BAC qualifier from a .10 to a point .08, they justified it by pointing to their statistical reports, claiming that there were too many accidents and that the .10 was too high. It has since been proven that they (MADD) were compiling their stats based on any fender bender based on any amount of alcohol at all. Even a person with a BAC of .02 = to 4oz of beer was included in the statistics that they used to claim that there were too many alcohol related accidents as compared to the number of drivers who were being held accountable. It was all lobbied for by MADD and the legislators gave them what they wanted.
Since that time, the new .08% law has become a massive money maker for the gov. When the BAC limit was at .10% most everyone could consume two alcoholic beverages without reaching that limit. Many people do reach the .08 % limit when they consume two drinks, especially woman.
In closing, 90% of DUI CHARGES ARE BOGUS, IMO
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Maybe he got sick of waiting for a cab……..then it’s not his fault, it would be the city’s fault for not providing enough cabs right?
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Why shouldn’t all suspected DUI drivers be booked into county jail…no matter what their position in our community? I thought normal operating procedure was a four+ hour hold in the “drunk tank” at county jail and then the suspected DUI driver is released. I’m curious to know how many other individuals arrested for DUI by APD were not taken to county jail but instead taken the Atascadero Police Department—booked, issued of a citation and then released. I’m wondering if the SLOPD offers the same “courtesy” to Cal Poly students when they are suspected of drunk driving? It seems to me an individual’s status/position in this community depends on how law enforcement treats you.
How sad for our community that our own law enforcement officers cannot obey the laws that they enforce. And let’s not forget, drunk drivers kill innocent people.
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This is just another example of the good old boys network around here. Mike “Tex” Teixeira is the only candidate who isn’t a part of it. I hope people see this whole pattern for what it is and vote for the one candidate who wouldn’t be afraid to change things.
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Check with Tex, a former CHP officer, and he should verify that the “cite and release” policy is something that has been in place for decades with many departments. If you aren’t a dirt bag and fall within the guidelines of the policy you will be cited and released and your vehicle will not be towed away.
Time to move on.
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I wonder where they teach that professional skill of determining if an arrestee is a “dirtbag” or not so they know when to take them to the county jail. That is ridiculous.
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Saveslocounty,
A dirt bag is someone that spits on a police officer, fights a police officer, kicks the windows out of a patrol car and needs to be subdued when arrested.
A good citizen is a person who cooperates when they commit a crime and are apprehended by the police.
Watch COPS on tv and maybe you’ll get what I’m talking about.
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Watching COPS explains your vast knowledge of law enforcement techniques. We have these things called a Constitution and Bill of Rights that protect all citizens equally. They are kind of neat and you should read them sometime.
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Your absolutely right about being treated equally. That really would be wonderful if all of the crooks acted equally. Unfortunately you have no idea what your talking about. Go for a ride along sometime in Santa Maria or South Central LA and get a reality check.
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You got me there. I guess you have seen it all while on ride-a-longs.
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No I actually worked there for many years.
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So, you don’t really drive dowm Broadway and say look, a dirtbag, let’s arrest him? Don’t you have PC to make the stop or is that just in the text books? The CHP doesn’t take DUI suspects to the station and release them on a cite. At least not here.
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“Dirtbag,” believe it or not, is a term used almost universally by LEOs in the United States.
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mkaney…..according to the dictionary:
dirt·bag (dûrt’bāg’)
n. Slang
A filthy or vile person.
That’s exactly what some people are. You have used several unflattering words on this site to describe who you don’t like. I thought hypocricy rubed you the wrong way??
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“Note: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion by focusing comments on the
issues, topics, and facts at hand—not at other members of the site.”
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First of all, I simply made a statement of fact. I didn’t make any comment about whether it was good/bad/right/wrong. So I fail to see where that was hypocritical. I think people should be able to say whatever they want. In fact, I would prefer that people say what they want, rather than worry about political correctness, that way we know what they really think.
I do think that in a professional context, it reflects poorly on how police view people. I have, of course, said some pretty stupid things before in a professional context myself. However, criticism and hypocricy are two different things.
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Why would you even state that “fact” then if you didn’t think it was wrong?
In most cases, I think the police view people as good people, that’s why they are cops, to help people and serve the community. However, with all the sumb bag, loser, drunk, beligerent, violent, crazy, filthy people they deal with sometimes, give them a break if they call a dirtbag a dirtbag.
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“However, with all the sumb bag, loser, drunk, beligerent, violent, crazy, filthy people they deal with sometimes”
Come on now, that’s no way to talk about their fellow officers.
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see, you are just like the people you rip on.
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*eyeroll* you’re going to interpret things however you want, I’m just toying with you at this point.
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While growing up in LA I hear the “N” word with great regularity. It’s probably in the dictionary but it still doesn’t make it right. The cops I have met seem professional and don’t need to call people names to sound tough.
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The “N” word is a racial slur and specific. “Dirtbag” is not and can be used to describe people of any race, sex, religion, color etc. Don’t even try to compare the “N” word to a word such as “dirtbag”…..
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We are talking about human beings. These are real people and the implication is that we can call them derogatory names except when based on ethnicity. Neither are appropriate. Many of these “dirtbags” are mentally ill, drug dependant and homeless and actually need help. The definition and acceptance of this term through this stream is applied to anyone the officers don’t like. I think they have been watching too many cop dramas.
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I agree that many are mentally ill, drug dependant and homeless….BUT many are just plain old “dirtbags”. Haven’t you ever met one?
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Sure, sometimes they even have badges.
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Of course. I just never felt the need to call them that.
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You have met a mentally ill, drug dependent, homeless police officer?
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You keep saying that Teixeira is the “only” candidate who isn’t part of the good old boy system. You’re wrong.
C O R T E Z
The difference between Cortez and Teixeira is that Cortez is not only not part of that system, but he’ll get in there and dismantle it and see it dies a quick death.
Cindy, it’s really interesting how your law and order mind is so relaxed about Bolts. Drunk drivers usually are not caught their first time. MOST drunk drivers do indeed go to jail. Yes, monied people and people in high places do get preferential treatment, as Bolts here did. The protocol is one for poor, unknown, unkempt people and a different one for those with connections, money or both.
This article is as much about Bolts as it is about APD, but let’s not quibble. Bolts was drunk, he was arrested, he was treated very very differently from the others who were arrested. Simply because he is under sheriff. No other reason.
Gonna breathe a lot easier with Cortez in there.
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Bolts should have been treated like every other citizen stopped on a D.U.I……without exception
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“Bolts should have been treated like every other citizen stopped on a D.U.I……without exception”
HE WAS, stopped on a D.U.I……without exception.
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Yes Cindy, he was stopped but not booked into the County Jail like the rest of the DUI suspects over the weekend.
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Ruforeal he would have been tarred and, his ass feathered, and thrown outside the city limits, off a wagon, my grandpapapy,’ dad told me this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,his name was Hank Lepley! Or Bettencourt, I can’t remember ?????????????
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Where is the information of a call to the cops in the story? I don’t get it. If someone reported Mr. Bolts for whatever reason, as some report here, is sort of beside the point.
Frankly, I’m surprised they even made an arrest with all the boys in blue cooperation around here. But good for them, to follow the law and do what must be done.
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The Tribune is reporting that someone called the police with a tip of a possible drunken driver.
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“There were five driving under the influence and drunk in public arrests made on Friday and Saturday in Atascadero. Except for Bolts, all other arrestees were transported to San Luis Obispo County Jail”.
Simmer down folks, Bolts didn’t get any preferential treatment. The DIP’s legally have to be taken to jail. The very preponderance of the crime is based on the officers belief that these people are so intoxicated or high on something, as to be a danger to themselves and others. Likewise if a DUI driver is so drunk that he is falling down or if he gives the officer a bad time then they will take them to jail to sober up. Not all DUI drivers go to jail in fact, many don’t.
I personally know of people who have been stopped and arrested in Atascadero for DUI. Their BAC wasn’t terribly high, maybe a .10 and they co-operated with the officer. They were cited to appear in court and released to a sober driver. They were also allowed to make arrangements to have their cars picked up for them. This is NOT unusual. There is no reason to waste time driving these people down to the county jail. When they appear in court they will be given a mandatory 2 days in jail anyway. Those who did go to jail will receive credit for time served.
What too funny, is that Bolt’s can request community service in lieu of the jail time and Hedges has the last say on who gets community service. I wish Cortez was already elected because I bet he would make Bolts do his community service working at the Atascadero Zoo! Too Funny.
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Cindy
Your experience speaks well. You are absolutely correct.
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I understand your point Cindy but just for the sake of looking right, in a cituation like this, you should at least book him at county and then maybe release, so it doesn’t appear any improprieties.
P.S. No I didn’t neg. ding you. ;-)
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I just can’t find anything funny about a drunk driver, especially one who should know better. I couldn’t find your stated sobriety criteria of giving the officers a bad time in the vehicle code. The significance of this story would have been minimized had the APD done two simple things: 1. Book the suspected drunk driver into county jail, 2. Do a press release announcing that a high ranking public official had been arrested for DUI. Had that happened, there would be no concerns for the performance of the Atascadero PD and all of the focus would be on Bolts, where it belongs. But, those two decisions have cast a shadow upon the fairness and impartiality of an otherwise good organization.
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Cindy is right… Of the 114 people arrested on suspicion of drunken driving over the past year, 86 were cited at department headquarters and then released, and 28 were taken to County Jail, Mulhall said.
I was delinquent on grammar day, so I don’t properly know how to quote from another article.
I also know someone that was arrested and released to me (a sober driver).
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Oh yeah… that is from the Tribune online [so accuracy can be debated].
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Unfortunately, the quote came from Mulhall who worked for Bolts and Hedges at the Sheriff’s Department for over 20 years. Do you think he is going to acknowledge that he treated this case different? The four others arrested that weekend went to county jail, not Undersheriff Bolts.
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.
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I have deleted a comment, it would have stayed, but for: Smudges – monkey brigade
name calling misuse+ comparisons to animals
Keep it Civil, thanks.
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To blame his soon to be ex wife (or anyone else) for his violating the law is absurd. Did you forget that drunk drivers KILL PEOPLE? Have you not seen the signs on the freeway “Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911?” Drunk driving is an emergency situation that requires prompt action. I would like to shake the hand of the caller and congratulate them for potentially saving a persons’ life. That saved life could have been your husband, your child or even his twins.
Mr. Bolts has a problem and ignored the responsibilities associated with drinking alcohol. His position of authority as Under Sheriff has certainly exposed him to the negative impact drunk driving has on the community, yet he chose to ignore that.
What part of fair and equal treatment under the law does Chief Mulhall not understand? Everyone else arrested for alcohol related offenses this weekend were booked into the county jail. Bolts is not above the law and should have been booked. This isn’t rocket science.
There appears to be a pattern of selective enforcement created within the Atascadero Police Department wherein they don’t arrest burglars if it might embarrass the Paso Chief, fail to charge the deputy sheriff who crashed into five cars while under the influence of pills and now release his friend and former boss with a ticket. Is that the standard of leadership the citizens of Atascadero want from their police chief? If so, I will stay far away from there even if they do have new movie theaters that serve alcohol.
What has become very clear is the answer to a standing question as to why local law enforcement has refused to conduct random drug and alcohol testing of their public safety personnel. Burying your heads in the sand will never fix the problem.
I do feel bad for the unfortunate officer who made the DUI stop of Bolts. It looks like he or she were trying to keep our streets safe only to be instructed to bend the protocol for the Chief’s buddy. Bolts should get to his office early this morning to pack his stuff and move out but save the boxes for Mulhall who should be next.
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Sorry soccer mom, you can call this a setup or whatever you want. He was drunk driving period. His vehicle should have gone to impound and he should have gone to jail. Too bad if he would have gotten his butt kicked in there. He should be held to a higher standard. Many people go to prison or jail and have things happen to them that they do not deserve ie. beatings, rape, etc. Additionally you soccer moms, what if he would have driven off and killed someone? Would you have then said, “We should have stopped him?”
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I bit more to this story than meets the eye…. can you say “set up” by soon to be ex wife… the anonymous phone call just happened to be called in after he was leaving a farewell soccer party for his twins… with the bitter wife there also par taking of beverages…. humm… sounds a little too convenient to make a call and let the cops know when and where to find this truck and this driver….just a fraction of a mile from the same “soccer party” .Don’t judge until the whole story comes out…. Steve Bolts is a nice man… and deserves better than this muck… Shame on you “other soccer mom’s” that supported this act….. you are not fooling anyone…
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Well that’s all fine and good.. and if this happened to me, and I told that story to the cop, what do you think he would say? I’ll tell you what he’d say, “well that is unfortunate but you broke the law.”
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So did his ex wife also hold open his mouth and force all that booze down his gullet?? That would be interesting to see as I meet steve on business 15 years ago and he isn’t a small man.
There are all kinds of nice people arrested every day for d.u.i. so what is your lame point?
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Sorry soccerm, Bolts does apparently does deserve this muck and the public deserves to be safe from drunk drivers.
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The phrase 3 sides to every story certainly applies here. I know Steve Bolts to be a good man, a loving father and always willing to help those in times of need. He and his children do not deserve this. This was a sting executed by a spouse and “friends” that targeted him. Could just as easily been anyone of the other parents who consumed at least one alcoholic beverage at the bar-b-que. And I saw many of these “friends” do just that. Drinking and driving is wrong… but I know many of these same group of people that have done just that…. And so have many of you that are judge and jury on this site…. So cast those stones and let Karma bite you…
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This may very well be karma itself. You know Bolts as a nice man but he has deliberately ruined many careers. Did you forget about him and Hedges wiretapping the #3 man’s office and loosing in Federal Court? Did you know that he covered up the murder, yes Murder of Ms. Hug? Oh, did you know he was, and still is in charge of the Christen Smart case which has blocked the family attempts for information. How about the union rep who was boinking the county assistant CAO. Bolts did nothing to that man. Bolts left his first five for the current soon to be ex who is the same age as his daughter. And finally, working all of the loopholes to squeeze $700,000 a year out of the county tells me this man is not honorable. I think you are right, this is karma.
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Typo shoud be first wife.
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So do I understand this right. Five D.U.I.s, four go to the can and Bolts go’s home!!???
This sounds like the same B.S. with the Capt. of the C.H.P. last year in Templeton.
Are cops that much above the law? Yea I know the answer, just a frustrated retorical question.
So the score so far in the last year, table top dancing chiefs leaving guns in car
SLO cops breaking up Laundry mats in A-Town.
SLO cops (I think) prying open innocent suspects eyes and pepper spraying in own home (and innocent I might add).
Drunk cops going home and not to jail for the night, both sheriff and C.H.P.
Cops not wanting to respond to Jewelry stores (must have been busy drinking)
Busting penny annie dope at Pozo festival
Dynamic pill popping duo at the Mexican border.
Well I better stop here the list could get to long. Please feel free to add your own.
Can anyone say police commission yet??
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Don’t forget the Morro Bay policewoman fired for taking up with a bunch of meth heads in town, oh excuse me, she didn’t compete her probation…
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This guy is such a waste of oxygen. He and his boss have run a once good department into the ground.
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Yet another Parkinson fan bites the dust …… Pity !
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Bolts/1662847187
Steve Bolts likes:
Other
Ian Parkinson
The Joycup Co
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department
Miner’s Ace Hardware
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Bolts and Parkinson scare me to death and gives insight into what could have been a dismal future for the Sheriff’s Department. It is funny how Parkinson went from on top of the world with his Drama 101 style TV ads to being a dirty household word in just a few short weeks. He actually did really well until he opened his mouth. I wonder if Chief Linden is still as proud of her little cutie pie?
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Your sooooooooooooooooooooo RIGHT ON.
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