Internal affairs finds evidence of misconduct against lieutenant

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

Metro Police internal affairs officials found evidence to support three conduct violations against a veteran lieutenant whose wife allegedly sold methamphetamine out of their house.

Lt. Dave Braden was suspended after his wife, Hanna Braden, was arrested in October for drug trafficking.

Deputy Chief Mike Ault, who oversees the department's internal affairs section, said Braden was found to have engaged in conduct unbecoming a police officer because he knew or should have known of the drug activity occurring at his home.

He was also found to have violated the department's rule against consorting with persons of ill repute, and officials determined he also violated the policy against having outside employment.

Ault said Braden had an electronics repair shop operating out of his home, which he had not cleared with the department. Any outside employment must be cleared with the department to ensure it's legal, moral and ethical, Ault said.

The findings were sent to Braden's superiors last month. His superiors will decide what course of action to take, Ault said, noting that he could be subject to discipline ranging from suspension to termination.