The Plumas County News is reporting that Chief Del Walters, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence by the California Highway Patrol near Camp Layman on Friday, August 21.
A CHP officer observed Chief Walters driving a Nissan 350 Z exceeding the speed limit and pulled him over. The officer said Chief Walters failed some sobriety tests and took him into custody.
A passenger in the vehicle that was also drunk was transported by the officer to “a safe place”.
Chief Walters was booked into the Plumas County Correctional Center on Friday and was released on Saturday, August 22.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Chief Walters to be the Director of CalFire on February 11, 2009. Walters is the only director that worked his way up from a seasonal firefighter position. Thirty years ago he began his career as a Firefighter I at King City in the San Benito-Monterey Unit.
UPDATE @ 6:49 MT, Aug. 25
The Associated Press is reporting that Chief Walters disclosed his arrest in a statement on Tuesday, four days after he was arrested. He said he was in his personal car and was off duty at the time. Chief Walters said he was sorry and knows that his arrest contrasts with his professional duty to uphold public safety.
CalFire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Governor Schwarzenegger placed Walters on 120 days probation. He will remain as the Chief of CalFire.
Thanks Bill for your comments, I agree ! Mark
I think those who are violating the law will really force the punishments. I think this will really makes the huge changes to the business.
Hey guys and gals, just like to say Mr Walters has been my chief for about 7 months and he has done alot for this dept. (And I thank him very much) for the little time that he has been in office . BUT that is no excuse for what he has done not only to his career, his family, and to the dept. Since I’ve been in the dept. all I hear from my peers is "You not only have to set an example on duty, but off duty also" I know were just human and we make mistakes, but just because your in a office three doors down from the govenor does not mean you should be treated any better then john dow that live across the street from me.I just hope that he make the right dicisions in the future, take a cab or a sober friend if your going to drink, there are family that would love to keep there love one around, Including myself.
Let’s not jump to conclusions. There still may be a legal proceeding in which, if found guilty, he will be assessed some kind of penalty. And I am not aware of any proof that he has done this before.
Obviously this isn’t the first time he’s done this, just the first time he’s been caught. Clearly being a Chief who makes a very large sum of money, not including his overtime is untouchable. What an opportunity, he gets a 120 day vacation in the middle of fire season.
120 days probation is a slap on the wrist. What ever happened to setting a good example, being a good influence, or upholding and doing what is right. It is obvious he is not the correct man for the job or this wouldn’t be an issue. I say fire him and use it as an example of what won’t be tolerated at any level.