Bastrop police chief resigns after DWI

BASTROP (KXAN) - Bastrop Police Chief David Board, on leave since an arrest for DWI in Austin two weeks ago, has resigned.

Board has been chief since April 2002. He was arrested in Austin on Aug. 17 for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Austin Police said Board took a breath test twice and tested at 0.226 and 0.227 blood alcohol content.

Since then, Bastrop city leaders have been contemplating the best course of action .  Leaders said they took their time in order to be "compassionate and fair," considering Board's 24 years of service to the community.

Monday night, Board submitted his resignation, which was accepted by City Manager Mike Talbot.

Leaders said Board was very well-regarded before his arrest, and in consideration of his career they decided that Board's resignation won't officially take effect until Nov. 1.

This allows Board to reach his Oct. 31 deadline for becoming fully vested in his retirement plan with the city, though Board will be on leave until November, and will not perform any duties or services for the Bastrop Police Department.  Bastrop Mayor Terry Orr said that Board had accrued enough unused leave time to make this arrangement possible.

Bastrop will now start a search for a new Chief of Police. Assistant Chief Matt Wagner will continue to fill the job on an interim basis until a permanent chief is hired.