McKenzie County Deputy Dismissed After DUI Arrest
Travis Bateman
Farmer Staff Writer
A newly hired McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been terminated after being arrested for driving under the influence while attending the Peace Officer Basic Course/Academy at the North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy (NDLETA) in Bismarck.
According to information released by the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jared Drake was arrested during the early morning hours of June 14, 2026, while attending the NDLETA’s Basic Training program. The agency stated it was notified of the arrest shortly after it occurred and immediately initiated an internal review.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that Drake’s first day of employment with the agency was May 18, 2026, meaning he had been employed for less than one month when the incident occurred.
Following its review, the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office determined that Drake’s actions violated agency policies and the professional standards expected of sworn law enforcement officers. The agency subsequently terminated Drake’s employment.
The incident attracted attention within North Dakota’s law enforcement community and the general public because Drake was attending the state’s basic academy training, where newly hired officers receive foundational instruction before entering field training and patrol duties.
According to the affidavit, officers were initially notified by Drake’s significant other, who reported an intoxicated driver and advised law enforcement that Drake was at the Elbow Room Bar in Bismarck after driving there from Buffalo Wild Wings in his county-issued vehicle.
The officer reported locating Drake inside the Elbow Room Bar at approximately 11:30 p.m. During the initial contact, Drake allegedly admitted he was intoxicated and told the officer he was arranging for a ride home and would not be driving.
Approximately 25 minutes later, however, the officer reported observing the vehicle Drake was operating, a gray 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe registered to McKenzie County, being operated without functioning head and taillights lights, prompting a traffic stop.
According to the affidavit, after failing field sobriety tests, a preliminary breath screening test indicated a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.08%. Court records further show that an evidentiary chemical breath test administered after the arrest produced a result of 0.189%, more than twice North Dakota’s legal limit for operating a motor vehicle.
Vehicle Assignment Clarified
Following the arrest, questions emerged regarding reports that Drake was operating a county vehicle at the time of the incident. The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office clarified that deputies attending the academy are not assigned marked patrol vehicles while in training.
According to the agency’s Public Information Officer, deputies attending the academy are provided either a McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office administrative vehicle or another county fleet vehicle for transportation while attending training in Bismarck.
The sheriff’s office explained that deputies do not receive patrol vehicle assignments until after graduating from the academy and entering the field training program. Typically, a patrol vehicle is assigned during the second or third phase of field training so deputies can become familiar with the vehicle they will ultimately operate on duty. The vehicle does not become a take-home patrol unit until the deputy has successfully completed both the academy and the field training program.
Officials described this as the standard process for all newly hired deputies.
Guilty Plea Entered
Day After Arrest
Court records from Bismarck Municipal Court show that Drake was charged with one count of Driving Under the Influence, a Class B misdemeanor under North Dakota law. The arrest was made by the Bismarck Police Department.
The case moved quickly through the judicial process. Records show Drake entered a guilty plea on June 15, 2026, one day after the arrest. The plea was accepted by Municipal Judge Amanda Harris, and a criminal judgment was entered the same day.
As part of the sentence, Drake was ordered to complete an alcohol evaluation and follow any recommended treatment resulting from that assessment. Court records indicate treatment compliance requirements remain active through December 12, 2026.
The court also placed Drake on unsupervised probation through June 10, 2027. During that period, he must comply with all laws and conditions imposed by the court.
Jail Sentence Converted
to Community Service
According to the criminal judgment, Drake received a 10-day sentence at the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center. However, eight days of the sentence were suspended by the court.
The remaining two days of confinement were converted to community service, requiring Drake to complete 20 hours of service through a court-approved community service program. Court documents indicate the service must be completed by July 15, 2026.
Fines and Fees Total $775
The court imposed financial penalties totaling $775. Those assessments include a $750 DUI fine and a $25 victim-witness fee.
As of June 18, 2026, court records showed the full balance remained outstanding.
Court documents further note that evidence related to the case may be retained for a minimum of 61 days following the judgment in accordance with state law and agency policy.
Public Trust and Accountability
The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that maintaining public trust requires holding employees accountable for conduct that falls below the standards expected of law enforcement professionals.
While the agency expressed disappointment in the incident, officials stated that the actions of one employee should not reflect upon the professionalism and dedication of the department’s remaining deputies and staff.
The case also highlights the significant investment law enforcement agencies make in recruiting and training new officers. Departments across North Dakota continue to face staffing shortages and recruitment challenges, making academy training an important and costly step in developing future law enforcement personnel.
No injuries, crashes, or additional criminal charges were reported in connection with the incident.
With Drake’s guilty plea entered, sentencing completed, and employment terminated, the matter appears resolved from both a criminal and administrative standpoint.