A state police trooper from Tamaqua has been suspended without pay after his arrest Thursday night for allegedly driving under the influence while on duty in Windsor Township, Berks County.
Kevin D. Wackley, 47, was driving a marked state police car when he was arrested at 8 p.m. on Old Route 22 near Reservoir Road, according to state police at Hamburg.
"It's pretty cut and dried," said state police Sgt. Robert Wagner, who is the Hamburg station commander.
Police said they determined Wackley was under the influence, took him into custody and processed him at the Hamburg station, which is where the defendant works.
"He was over the legal (blood alcohol) limit of 0.08 (percent)," said Wagner, who did not reveal Wackley's specific blood-alcohol level.
Wackley was released after his arrest, as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, and charges will be filed by summons with Magisterial District Judge Kim L. Bagenstose, Hamburg, police said.
Wackley has been suspended pending the disposition of the case, according to police.
"There's going to be an internal investigation as well as the criminal investigation," Wagner said.
Wagner said Wackley has been a trooper for 19 years, most of them at the Hamburg station.