ORLANDO, Fla. – Three Orlando police officers were involved in driving violations and they were found to be intoxicated during the arrest.
Michael Lemmerman was arrested after hitting two parked vehicles, then driving away to escape the incident. He was not on duty at the time of the incident.
Lemmerman, age 34, has been in the police service for five years. He performs as an on-desk officer, reaping a salary of $31/hour.
The suspect was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Manatee County last April. The Patrol troopers said that Lemmerman was driving at a fast speed, hitting two cars, then continued to speed away. When the troopers reached Lemmerman’s vehicle, they offered him to take the breath test, which he declined. He was then brought to the police office for investigation.
Lemmerman’s received a six-month cancellation of his driver’s license after he pleaded no consent to driving while intoxicated.
Michael Counihan, another one of the Orlando police officers, was arrested on the same case.
Counihan, age 41, has been in the service for nine years as an on-desk officer earning approximately $30/hour.
Clermont Police Officer arrested Counihan back in October after he was caught driving while intoxicated. Police officials said that Counihan strongly smelled like liquor; he was even carried out of the car due to his extreme drunkenness. He declined to take both sober and breath tests.
Driving while intoxicated was charged against Counihan, and a jury found him guilty in February. His lawyer did not entertain interviews after the verdict. However, on March 10, Counihan filed for an appeal.
Ben Gauntlett, also a police officer, was caught in January after an officer eyed him to be driving while intoxicated along downtown Orlando. Gauntlett worked with the department for five years, with a $25hour salary. His case is currently in process.
An internal investigation is underway for all of three caught Orlando police officers. It is uncertain if the three suspects will be allowed to regain their police power.
