AURORA, Colo. – The Aurora Police Department on Monday fired a now-former officer who pleaded guilty in February to an August 2019 arrest for driving under the influence while he was off duty.
Joshua Teeples, 32, was sentenced last Monday to 18 months of probation, 60 hours of community service, and fines for his DUI charge, along with guilty pleas for two traffic infractions on careless driving and failing to report an accident.
And on Monday, he was fired by APD, according to Interim Chief Vanessa Wilson.
Teeples, was arrested last Aug. 21 in Castle Rock after he allegedly hit another vehicle near I-25 and Plum Creek Parkway. Officers tracked his license plate to his home, where they found Teeples and noticed alcohol on his breath, according to an affidavit.
He told officers he was not involved in an accident and declined any sobriety tests before he was arrested. According to the affidavit, he argued with Castle Rock police officers and asked one if they could bond him out.
The police department placed Teeples on restricted duty while conducting an internal affairs investigation, at the conclusion of which the review board recommended he be fired, Wilson said Monday. The Independent Review Board also agreed that Teeples should be fired.
“After taking over as the Interim Police Chief, it has been my duty to rebuild the trust within our community and hold my officers accountable for their actions,” Wilson said in a statement. “The actions and decisions made by my officers, whether on-duty or off, always need to reflect the professionalism that APD, City Officials and the Aurora residents expect of them."
Teeples’ DUI arrest was among four cases involving APD officers drinking and driving since March 2019.
Teeples was with the department for about 2 1/2 years.