"No sacred cows here:" Milwaukee Co. Sheriff calls out captain after drunk driving arrest

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke calls out one of his captains after she's arrested for driving drunk in Minnesota.

"Normally, I wouldn`t, but this is too serious to not say something about," said Sheriff Clarke.

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, an officer in Red Wing, Minnesota stopped a vehicle around 2:30 a.m. because it did not have tail lights on. The driver was 41-year-old MCSO Captain Catherine Trimboli.

At the scene, Trimboli initially refused the PBT, showed her sheriff’s office credentials and asked to be let go as a “professional courtesy,” since she was only blocks from her hotel. A supervising officer came to the scene and Trimboli agreed to perform the PBT.  The result of the PBT was .14. Trimboli was booked and released.

"There`s a higher standard for law enforcement officers. And when you are a supervisory officer, it's an even higher standard than that," said Clarke.

Trimboli is a 20-year veteran who has worked hard to climb the ranks. In 2008, she was promoted to sergeant. But because the examination announcement was flawed, the promotion was thrown out. She and other deputies fought that decision, but the court dismissed the claim.

Trimboli is relieved of her command -- and now faces an internal investigation.

"Once that case in Minnesota is adjudicated and the completion of our internal investigation, I`ll make a finding I think is appropriate in terms of accountability. There's no sacred cows here," said Clarke.

If convicted, she faces up to 90 days in jail.

Statement from Sheriff Clarke: