MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- A Muskegon Co. jail supervisor's on leave after the quick release of an inmate who's an Ottawa Co. corrections officer.
Last week, we reported the arrest of Ottawa County corrections deputy Dennis Smith (pictured), who faces a drunk-driving charge.
Police took Smith into custody early in the morning on May 1, near the intersection of 9th Street and Muskegon Avenue. Police say he was driving with a blood alcohol content of .17 or higher, making him to be eligible to be charged under Michigan's super-drunk law.
The Muskegon County sergeant who was supervising the jail at the time let Smith post bond and leave jail in less than two hours.
The quick release may have violated jail policy.
A union representative says the sergeant made the decision based on protecting the Ottawa County corrections officer from jail inmates who knew he was a guard.
"My understanding is that the sergeant...did an early release; the facts are not in dispute," said Business Agent Ed Fox of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. "They thought they did it safely because they simply had no place to put him in isolation...my impression was that it was done mostly for safety. Was there a policy violation? The department is investigating."
Dennis Smith is charged with operating with blood alcohol content of .17 or more. He's scheduled to be formally charged Wednesday in Muskegon County District Court.
