A Los Angeles police commander and sergeant were arrested Friday for alcohol-related offenses, authorities said.
LAPD Commander Nicole Mehringer, 47, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of allegedly being drunk in public near Lomita Avenue and Brand Boulevard about 1 a.m., according to Glendale police and L.A. County Jail records.
Sgt. James Kelly, 46, was arrested at the same location for allegedly driving under the influence. His arrest happened at 1:37 a.m., according to Glendale police and jail records.
Mehringer, whose married name is Nicole Alberca is currently assigned to the department's Employee Relations Group, LAPD officer Chris No said. Kelly also works in the same unit, No added. Both officers were placed on administrative leave, he said.
Tahnee Lightfoot, a Glendale police spokeswoman, said their arrests came as part of a DUI investigation, not at a checkpoint. Glendale police released a conflicting statement which read "Nicole Mehringer was detained (not arrested) for public intoxication and taken into custody. She was later released after several hours.
James Kelly was arrested on suspicion of DUI and was later released pending a court appearance."
Mehringer posted $250 in bail and was released at 4:13 a.m. Kelly posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody at 4:14 a.m. He is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. May 1 in Glendale.
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This afternoon, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck released a statement on the arrests of the two officers.
"I have been briefed on the circumstances of these arrests and am extremely concerned about the allegations. In addition to the criminal cases we have initiated personnel investigations, which can result in serious consequences," Beck said.
Kelly's father, James Kelly Sr., told NBC4 that his is not known to drive when drinking and he doesn't even drink that much.
