Officer Driven Home After Suspected Drunk Driving Will Keep Job

An off-duty Roseville police officer stopped for suspected drunk driving, taken to the Ferndale Police station, and then driven home by a lieutenant in November, will keep his job. David Raymer, 40, appeared in Ferndale 43rd District Court Tuesday Jan. 16 for a pretrial hearing. Rayner, who received neither a breathalzyer test nor any field sobriety testing, faces a single misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

Raymer, a 14-year Roseville Police department vet, was stopped by Ferndale police Nov. 9 around 12:30 am after officers saw him driving his car the wrong way on Woodward Avenue. No one was injured during the incident. Rayner remains on paid administrative leave. In video of the police stop, Raymer can be heard asking the Ferndale officer “You know what kind of a jam you’re putting me in here?” to which the officer replied “Yup.” The Ferndale officer also noted Raymer’s armband was from The Loving Touch, a Ferndale bar and concert venue.

The Roseville Officer and Macomb Township resident was disciplined internally and will not lose his job, according to Roseville Police Chief James Berlin. Berlin described Raymer’s situation as a personnel matter, and declined to disclose any adverse employment decisions that may impact Raymer. Berlin added that Raymer’s trial may impact decision-making in the case.
In a statement, Ferndale Police Chief Timothy Collins said the lieutenant let Raymer off initially received a one-day suspension for his violation of department regulations.

“The lieutenant - who has an otherwise lengthy and exemplary history with our department - has taken full responsibility and understands the seriousness of his actions,” Collins said.
If convicted, Raymer faces a maximum of 93 days in jail.

Photo courtesy of Ferndale Police.