A Pittsburgh police officer, who was already on unpaid leave at the time of his arrest, is facing charges after officials said he crashed a rental car while driving under the influence of alcohol. VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4According to a criminal complaint, officials were called to the Sunoco Station along Stanhope Street in Pittsburgh on Sunday after receiving a report of a vehicle that crashed into a roadside barrier. The driver of the vehicle was said to be a police officer. When officials arrived on the scene, they said Robert Palivoda was found leaning on the barrier. Authorities said they could smell a faint odor of alcohol. Court papers stated Palivoda was slurring his speech and on two occasions, almost fell to the ground. He nodded to officers, agreeing that he was not supposed to be driving in the condition he was currently in. A pocket knife was found on Palivoda, and a handgun was found in the vehicle he was driving. The complaint said the vehicle was a rental car.The Sunoco Station said it would provide officials with video of the crash from a nearby camera. Palivoda was taken to Pittsburgh Police Zone 6 headquarters, where his blood alcohol content was 0.311%. Court papers said this was his third DUI. He is now facing charges including DUI and careless driving. Following the incident, Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando issued the following statement, saying, “The conduct alleged in this case is unacceptable and falls far short of the standards of professionalism and personal responsibility that our community expects from every member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”Lando continued, saying, “While Officer Palivoda is entitled to due process through the criminal justice system, I take these allegations extremely seriously. Officer Palivoda was already on unpaid suspension at the time of this arrest, and once his criminal matter has been resolved, we will take whatever administrative action is appropriate under department policy and applicable law.” Lando said Palivoda was already on unpaid administrative leave when he was arrested. It is unclear when he was placed on leave and whether previous DUI charges were the reason. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has reached out to officials for more information. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
A Pittsburgh police officer, who was already on unpaid leave at the time of his arrest, is facing charges after officials said he crashed a rental car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4
According to a criminal complaint, officials were called to the Sunoco Station along Stanhope Street in Pittsburgh on Sunday after receiving a report of a vehicle that crashed into a roadside barrier.
The driver of the vehicle was said to be a police officer.
When officials arrived on the scene, they said Robert Palivoda was found leaning on the barrier. Authorities said they could smell a faint odor of alcohol.
Court papers stated Palivoda was slurring his speech and on two occasions, almost fell to the ground. He nodded to officers, agreeing that he was not supposed to be driving in the condition he was currently in.
A pocket knife was found on Palivoda, and a handgun was found in the vehicle he was driving.
The complaint said the vehicle was a rental car.
The Sunoco Station said it would provide officials with video of the crash from a nearby camera.
Palivoda was taken to Pittsburgh Police Zone 6 headquarters, where his blood alcohol content was 0.311%.
Court papers said this was his third DUI.
He is now facing charges including DUI and careless driving.
Following the incident, Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando issued the following statement, saying, “The conduct alleged in this case is unacceptable and falls far short of the standards of professionalism and personal responsibility that our community expects from every member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”
Lando continued, saying, “While Officer Palivoda is entitled to due process through the criminal justice system, I take these allegations extremely seriously. Officer Palivoda was already on unpaid suspension at the time of this arrest, and once his criminal matter has been resolved, we will take whatever administrative action is appropriate under department policy and applicable law.”
Lando said Palivoda was already on unpaid administrative leave when he was arrested. It is unclear when he was placed on leave and whether previous DUI charges were the reason.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has reached out to officials for more information.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.