Oregon Forensic Criminalist Who was Drunk at a Crime Scene Could Lose his Certification for Life

A forensic criminalist with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), whose blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit while investigating a homicide, has been given a lifetime revocation of his police certification by a state committee.

He Failed to Tell the PPB of a Former DUI Charge

Evidence was that Bradley McIntyre (58) also failed to tell the PPB that he had been arrested in Washington state a few weeks earlier for driving under the influence.

The police policy committee were unanimous in their vote of the lifetime revocation, finding that McIntyre had violated the state’s moral fitness standards for police. Their recommendation will now go to a full board for a final vote.

McIntyre, who retired from the PPB while under investigation, did not attend the committee hearing and said previously that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The incident dates to 25 February 2021, when McIntyre was arrested after a supervisor noticed that his reactions were impaired at a homicide scene.

The supervisor told investigators that McIntyre was slow and lethargic, had difficulty balancing while processing the crime scene, and had to lean against a car to brace himself, according to state records.

When McIntyre was instructed to sit down in the passenger seat of a forensic evidence division vehicle, he climbed behind the steering wheel and drove away.

Two officers charged McIntyre with DUI when he was caught at a traffic stop. His blood alcohol content was 0.26%, which is more than three times the legal limit.

In June 2021, McIntyre pleaded guilty and entered diversion when his prosecution was transferred to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. He was placed on administrative leave and the charge was dismissed a year later after he had successfully completed diversion.

Internal Affairs Investigation Uncovered a Prior DUI

However, an internal affairs investigation found that McIntyre had a prior DUI relating to a car crash on 3 February 2021 in La Center. A Clark County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call and found McIntyre’s car in a ditch. According to state records, McIntyre was hiding behind a tree and was taken to hospital for treatment of a laceration on his face.

The deputy said he could smell alcohol on McIntyre’s breath, adding that his eyes were bloodshot and his speech slurred. A blood sample showed a blood alcohol content of 0.19%. McIntyre said he had swerved to avoid another vehicle when returning from a casino where he had two or three beers, according to state records.

He failed to report the accident or the DUI charge to the PPB, as required and was formally charged on 4 February 2021.

McIntyre was placed on five-year bench probation by a Clark County Judge In October 2023.