Texas Officers Face Harder Line on Drunken Driving

Changes to state policy are making it harder for Texas police officers convicted of drunken driving to stay on the job.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the state Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education revised its policy last month.

Before, officers could seek a hearing to ask for probation instead of a suspension. Since 2006, about 70 officers have received hearings. About 30 were given probation.

Now, officers convicted of a misdemeanor must lose their peace officer licenses for some time.

The changes require officers convicted of most alcohol-related offenses to lose their licenses for 30 days, making it more difficult to keep their jobs.

In Dallas, officers are fired if convicted of drunken driving. But departments in Houston, Austin and elsewhere sometimes offer second chances.