NN detective charged with DUI

NEWPORT NEWS, Va (WAVY) - A Newport News detective is facing several charges after being arrested Saturday night.

James City County Police charged 28-year-old Kevin Nichol with driving under the influence, following too closely and refusing to take a blood alcohol test, according to Lou Thurston with the Newport News Police Department. 

Police say Nichol was driving a Jeep at the intersection of Longhill Road and Route 199 when he rear ended a 46-year-old man in a Ford Explorer. The man was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Nichol is now out on bond and on unpaid administrative leaving pending an internal investigation.

Nichol has worked with Newport News Police Department since January 16, 2008. He is now assigned to the Special Victims Unit.

Thurston said anytime an officer gets in trouble it is taken very seriously. A DUI charge could result in an officer losing his job or being reduced in rank.

The charges are a disappointment to some Newport News residents who say officers should be an example for everyone else.

"They are trying to stop drinking and driving," said Howard Stuckey, a Newport News resident. "But, see the example they are giving everybody else. They locking everybody else up or taking their license away."

"They should can him. They should get rid of him, and put him in jail like they do everybody else," said James Gore, a Newport News resident.

Nichol is the second Newport News detective to end up in trouble in just two months. 58-year-old Michael Poole was arrested for an alleged road rage incident in September. He was charged with brandishing a firearm after two men said he pulled a gun on them. Poole was placed on suspension.

Many Newport News residents say these two arrest shouldn't take away from the men and women at the Newport News Police Department who do follow the rules.

"I still give the benefit of the doubt to the other police officers that do their job, protect and risk their own lives," said Mario de Costa, a Newport News resident.