North Ogden police DUI training turned into 'drunken party,' newly obtained letter says

NORTH OGDEN — A scathing letter sent to the North Ogden mayor and City Council appears to have spurred the internal investigation into the February DUI police training.

The letter, obtained Friday by KSL.com following an appealed public records request, was signed by 18 participants of the DUI training, mostly police and city staff from North Ogden. Significant portions of the letter were redacted.

A "wet lab" training is a standard exercise among law enforcement departments and involves volunteers ingesting alcohol to raise their blood alcohol level to certain points, while trainees practice standard field sobriety tests.

The training on Feb. 6, however, did not go to plan. Initial documentation obtained through public records requests shows that "during the training, some of the volunteer participants were unable to participate in the training because of the effects of alcohol consumption. Medical personnel were called to assess the individuals who became severely impaired and two voluntarily were transported to the Pleasant View Emergency Center," according to a memo sent by City Manager Jon Call.

North Ogden Police Sgt. Kara Mueller had established training parameters that were then cleared by the police administration, that memo says, though the "standard for this type of training is to utilize a (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) approved (Standardized Field Sobriety Test) instructor."

Eighteen participants sent an unsigned letter, for fear of retaliation, to the mayor and City Council the day after that training, expressing "great concern regarding our chief of police, Brian Eynon."

"Chief Eynon has been a captain in a previous department and the chief of North Ogden just under a year. Any true leader would never participate in an event like this. He made an absolute fool of himself, embarrassed the department and lost credibility with his subordinates," the letter said.

They were planning on participating in an exercise to maintain their Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, according to the letter, but "what transpired was a drunken party involving the chief of police, Lt. Nathan Boyette, Sgt. Kara Mueller and other city employees."

While Boyette was "impaired and stumbling around," his wife "had to help those that were sick," the participants said. A text message from Eynon to Mueller indicated his wife attended the training, as well.

"Sgt. Kara Mueller was the training coordinator over the class. She was also responsible for pouring the alcoholic drinks for the participants," the letter says.

Information following that statement was redacted. In total, the letter states "at least five people drinking alcohol could not participate due to the level of intoxication," which made it it so that some officers only got one chance to conduct field sobriety tests, with others not being able to test at all.

"This caused the officers in attendance to not receive the appropriate training for DUI detection. This also shorted hours for each one in attendance as they are required to maintain a specific number of hours for their certification at POST," the letter says.

It continues, saying "no one will ever look at Chief Eynon the same. He did not represent the city of North Ogden in a professional manner. If he was going to attend this training, it should have been to oversee not lose his dignity. ... The tax dollars wasted on a drunken party instead of a professional well-executed training is disheartening."

North Ogden denies using any municipal funds for the alcohol but has not revealed how or where it was obtained. The waivers signed by participants say the police department provided the alcohol, but it remains unclear what funds were used for its purchase.

"According to the Code of Ethics, officers are to keep their professional and personal life unsullied. I do not believe the chief, lieutenant nor Sgt. Mueller have honored this portion of the oath they swore to uphold. They are an embarrassment to the city," the letter said.

"Many of us in attendance are ashamed and dismayed by the events that unfolded. Other officers from several agencies are aware and making fun of the lack of leadership displayed. We are sure as this leaks to the citizens, trust will be lost throughout the community."

Eynon was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 12, and on Feb. 20 a "formal request was made to (the Utah Department of Public Safety) after a complaint was submitted to the mayor's office alleging misconduct," according to a memo from Call.

The chief was reinstated on March 18, and on March 19, Call issued a formal reprimand following the investigation, newly obtained documents show. "The city sees this as a chance for you to recenter on your role as the leader of the police department, and acknowledge that this misjudgment on your part has impacted the police department in a severe way," that reprimand states.

Eynon was disciplined for conduct unbecoming of an officer and improper oversight with an undisclosed reduction in salary effective March 23, and continued probation until the end of the year, Dec. 31.

After the investigation, Call issued another statement: "We have determined that while Chief Eynon exhibited a lapse in judgment by volunteering to get intoxicated, his intent was good, and this incident does not define his overall commitment and service to our community."

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