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Virginia Legal News

Newport News Police Official Convicted of Drunken Driving


Posted on Nov 25, 2008

On Wednesday, November 19, a high-ranking Newport News police official was found guilty of drunken driving by the Hampton General District Court.  The incident of drunken driving occurred in August when a state trooper said he saw Dawn Barber, 44, weaving in and out of traffic.

The conviction came one day after Barber was demoted one rank by her boss, which stripped her of her assistant chief title.  The demotion was the result of the offense.

Barber, who is now a captain, was stopped at approximately 9:40 PM on August 16 after a Virginia State Police trooper witnessed her nearly hitting another car on Interstate 64 near North King Street.  She was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Following Barber’s conviction, General District Court Judge Albert W. Patrick III issued her a standard punishment for a first-time DUI offense, which included a 30-day suspended jail term, a one-year restricted driver’s license that allows her to drive for work, a $250 fine and mandatory attendance at an alcohol counseling program.

If Barber does not follow through with the judge’s requirements, she could face a double fine of $500 and could be forced to serve time in jail and have her driving privileges revoked.

Barber had previously been one of three assistant chiefs.  According to police records, her annual salary was $87,675, but it wasn’t apparent what her compensation as a captain would be.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Barber made the following statement, “I made a serious error in judgment that has affected me personally and professionally.  There are consequences to my actions.  Of course I regret it.”  She also said that she felt that her treatment was fair by the court and her boss.  Barber even apologized to the Newport News Police Department, others in law enforcement “and the entire community.”

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