According to the Paducah Police Department, just before 3 a.m., an officer with the Paducah Police Department observed a vehicle in the 3100 block of Broadway quickly pull into a parking spot. The driver exited the vehicle, and the officer recognized him as 27-year-old Nicholas Rolens, an off-duty Paducah police officer.
The officer believed Rolens was impaired and contacted his supervisor, who arrived on scene within minutes. The supervisor also identified signs of impairment and, to avoid any conflict of interest, contacted the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office to perform a DUI investigation.
As a result of the investigation, Rolens was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Rolens was lodged at the Graves County Jail.
Statement from Chief Brian Laird:
Early Thursday morning I was made aware
Officer Nicholas Rolens, a four-year officer with the Paducah Police
Department, had been arrested for driving under the influence of
alcohol. At that time, an internal investigation was initiated.
After reviewing the facts of the case,
I met with Officer Rolens Friday morning. During the meeting, Rolens
accepted complete responsibility for his actions and resigned his
position as a Paducah Police officer. It is extremely disappointing
to lose an officer under these circumstances.
As police officers, we know and
understand the high standard of conduct we are held to, both on and
off duty. Although we strive to always maintain those high standards,
police officers are human and make mistakes.
While I am disappointed in the mistake of one, I am thankful for the officers and deputy who Thursday morning upheld the police department’s core values of Professionalism, Accountability and Integrity.
