Posted on Apr 27, 2012

Matt McCutcheon, who was just named Chief of Police in Grayslake in January, was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and being armed while intoxicated, according to Kenosha County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Beth.

McCutcheon said he had had three vodka martinis with dinner before getting behind the wheel of his car. He was off duty and on the way home from dinner with his wife when their car collided with another vehicle at around 10 p.m. on Route 45. Officers responding to this Wisconsin motor vehicle collision said that when they arrived at the scene, McCutcheon was standing on the road and swaying back and forth.

According to McCutcheon, he turned too widely as he attempted to turn south onto Route 45 in Silver Lake. McCutcheon attemped to walk into the southbound lane of traffic and was seen to slightly lose his balance.

Kenosha County Deputy William Soppe said in his report: “I could smell a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath. I also observed the subject’s eyes were bloodshot and were glossy. The subject’s speech was very slow.”

Fortunately, no one involved in the collision sustained any injuries. 

Rhett Taylor, Mayor of Grayslake, has stated that investigations into the incident are ongoing. “If the investigation confirms the media reports, this would constitute unacceptable conduct for an individual in the position of Grayslake police chief,” he said. 

McCutcheon has been employed by the Grayslake police department for more than 20 years, and Grayslake Management Assistant Brett L. Kryska reported no change in his employment status until all matters have been further investigated.