Keller picks replacement for Metro commander

Keith Paul

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000 | 11:02 a.m.

Sheriff Jerry Keller on Monday picked the replacement for a Metro Police commander who was arrested on drunken driving charges and told his bosses he's going to retire.

Cmdr. Charles Davidaitis, 53, had not officially finished the paperwork necessary to retire as of this morning, but "he said his intentions are to retire," Undersheriff Richard Winget said. "We needed to fill the position, because one way or another, he's not coming back as a commander."

Davidaitis' blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he was arrested Nov. 26 after crashing his 1999 Toyota Landcruiser. He was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

Capt. Mike Ault, currently in the support services bureau, was appointed to the rank of commander, Winget said.

"He was appointed because he is very experienced, and he's a bulldog about getting things done," Winget said.

Ault, who served as captain for the southwest area command, the training bureau and the communications bureau, officially takes over as commander Saturday.

Two commander positions -- the fourth rank in the chain of command -- were created this year, with one commander overseeing three area commands and the other overseeing two area commands and the traffic bureau.

Last week Metro officials released an arrest report that alleged Davidaitis attempted to persuade his wife to take the blame for the accident, threatened to harm himself and even hatched a hastily made plan to escape to the airport with his passport following the crash in his neighborhood.

The 22-year member of the force is accused of smashing his Toyota Landcruiser into a light pole, a fire hydrant and a length of chain-link fence Nov. 26 about 3 p.m. on Annie Oakley Drive in front of Bill Y. Tomiyasu Elementary School, then driving down the street to his house, according to the report.

When Metro officers gave Davidaitis a breath test, he blew a 0.214 and then a 0.215 -- drivers are considered driving under the influence with a 0.10 blood-alcohol level, according to the arrest report.

When officers showed up at Davidaitis' home, he was uncooperative, not steady on his feet and smelled of alcohol, according to the report.

According to the report written by traffic unit Lt. Csaba Maczala, Louise Davidaitis said her husband "grabbed a duffle bag (and) hastily placed clothing into the bag. She stated he grabbed a large sum of money from his bedroom and he also threw his passport into the duffle bag and he advised Louise that he wanted a ride to the airport."

Louise Davidaitis told the officers Davidaitis "tried to make her take the rap for the accident," according to the arrest report. "She told (Maczala) she would refuse to do so and that he was responsible for what he did and that he needed help."

Davidaitis was relieved of duty the day he was arrested and put on administrative leave with pay. The criminal case against him was forwarded to the district attorney's office Friday.

The internal investigation into his actions began Monday. Davidaitis could face punishment from the department ranging from a reprimand to being fired.

If Davidaitis has retired and has left the department by the time the internal investigation is completed, he would not face any discipline. However, if he had announced his retirement and not yet left the force, he could still be punished by the department, Winget said.