This story has been updated with new information.
A Redding police officer arrested while under the influence of alcohol is facing drunk driving charges, according to a complaint filed with the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.
Sean James Bias of Millville was arrested on Jan. 17, according to the complaint filed in Shasta County Superior Court.
The charge included an enhancement because Bias had a blood alcohol content level “of 0.15% or higher,” the complaint said. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or higher, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
The complaint, filed Jan. 29, gave no other details about the time or place of Bias’ arrest.
Bias is on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation, Redding Police Chief Brian Barner said via email on Tuesday, Feb. 3. “Due to the personnel investigation, no other details will be released,” Barner said.
According to past posts on the Redding Police Department’s Facebook and Instagram pages, Bias joined the Redding police force in 2022 with nine years’ experience. Previously, he worked for the Antioch and Pleasant Hill police departments and had close to nine years of law enforcement experience.
Bias was on RPD’s Downtown Bike Team and was a field training officer and FBI Safe Streets Task Force member, said a 2024 post on RPD’s Instagram page.
Michele Chandler covers public safety, dining, food and whatever else comes up for the Redding Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. Accepts story tips at 530-338-7753 and at mrchandler@gannett.com. Please support our entire newsroom’s commitment to public service journalism by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: UPDATE: Redding police officer arrested, charged with DUI
Reporting by Michele Chandler, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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