CHARLOTTE -- A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer is on the other side of the law after getting pulled over in Avery County over the weekend.

  • CMPD Officer Tyler Kishpaugh pulled over near Banner Elk Saturday morning.
  • He was charged with driving while impaired.
  • Kishpaugh is a nearly 17-year veteran of the force.

According to CMPD, Officer Tyler Kishpaugh was arrested by the Highway Patrol near Banner Elk early Saturday morning and charged with driving while impaired.

Officer Kishpaugh, a nearly 17-year veteran of the force, was off-duty and in his personal vehicle when he was pulled over.

He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave during the course of an internal investigation.

CMPD Chief Kerr Putney released a statement saying, “I am disappointed that a member of our department has fallen short of our organization’s high standards. I expect the men and women of this department will be held accountable when they violate the law no matter where it occurs.”

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