CMPD officer arrested on suspicion of DWI on New Year's Eve

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer was arrested, charged with driving drunk, troopers said.

Officer Matthew Thompson's been with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department almost 23 years. He's assigned to Freedom Division. His anniversary with the department is coming up in March.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol arrested him on New Year's Eve. A state trooper pulled him over in Union County, on North Rocky River Road near Goldmine Road.

According to court documents, the trooper said Thompson was having trouble staying in his lane and, then, the trooper says, after the stop, Thompson wasn't steady on his feet, had red glassy eyes and smelled like alcohol.

It's not clear if Thompson was driving his own vehicle or a patrol car.

Apparently, Thompson agreed to a breath test and blew .19 twice, four minutes apart. The trooper arrested him and charged him with DWI, operating a vehicle without insurance, and driving left of center. Plus, his license is revoked for 30 days.

He's out of jail and due in court Feb. 25. CMPD suspended Thompson with pay, which is normal in this situation.

WSOC