A former Tooele County Sheriff’s deputy had his law enforcement certification suspended for two years Monday for smoking marijuana.
The Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council handed down the suspension to Aaron M. Bird during its quarterly meeting in Sandy. Bird was one of nine officers who received a suspension from the council for various misconduct.
Bird resigned from the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 7 after he had previously admitted to using marijuana to a superior after being selected to a prior drug test, according to the council. Bird did not appear to defend himself against the recommendation he receive the two-year suspension, which was approved by the council.
According to the council, Bird was investigated by the sheriff’s office after admitting to using marijuana at the end of 2014.
Officer misconduct is reported to the POST council for a number of different reasons, including falsifying information, committing any state or federal crime that isn’t a Class C misdemeanor traffic violation or lower, engaging in sexual activity while on duty or being physically or mentally unable to perform the duties of the job.
Since 2012 there have been six law enforcement officers in Tooele County that have been disciplined by the POST council resulting in suspension of their certification.
Former Grantsville City Police Chief Danny Johnson received an 18-month suspension from the council in 2012 for wanton destruction of wildlife after he tagged a deer his son shot on private property. Johnson, who was still serving as chief when the suspension handed down, was forced to retire.
Of the five other officers working in Tooele County that received suspensions from the POST council since 2012, two were related to domestic violence and two were DUIs.
Tooele County Constable James Houghtalen received a three-year suspension in 2013 for theft after he took $150 in a debt collection case and $300 in bail which he did not submit.