MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Commissioners said they were interested in learning more about what led up to a uniformed deputy’s DUI arrest over the weekend.
“Anyone who works for the government needs to find out quickly is that we expect people to be response to public request,” said Commissioner Heidi Shafer.
In a budget battle, Shafer and several other commissioners have tried to get answers about why Bill Oldham took deputies off the streets to hire more top level managers.
Sheriff Oldham said he did not add any positions, he filled positions that were vacant.
Now, some commissioners questioned what happened leading up to the arrest of Deputy Lewis Noblin at Kirby Parkway and Poplar over the weekend.
A Germantown Dispatcher called the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to let them know Noblin was “down” in the intersection before 1 a.m. on Sunday.
Noblin was off the clock but dressed in uniform with his county motorcycle.
People on the scene told investigators they believed he was drunk.
“It’s always a concern if somebody who’s in law enforcement is engaging in that, and I’d be very interested to know the details,” Shafer said.
Commissioner Steve Basar told WREG over the phone he plans to call the Sheriff to learn more about the incident.
The Sheriff’s Office and the Germantown Police, who are responsible for investigating the case, both refused to give out any details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The county said WREG could inspect the officer’s personnel file on Friday, but there was no indication if it would include when Noblin got off work Saturday night or the area he was patrolling.
