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Posted: October 28, 2010

Cherry Point commander removed after arrest

Marine Col. Douglas Denn, Cherry Point commander

Marine commander at Cherry Point charged with DWI

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Newport, N.C. — The Marine Corps has relieved the commander of the Cherry Point air station of his duties following a drunken driving arrest, officials said Thursday.

Newport police pulled Col. Douglas Denn over at 11 p.m. Monday, and a sobriety test showed he had a breath-alcohol level of 0.14, according to the Carteret County Clerk of Courts Office.

In North Carolina, drivers with a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 are considered impaired.

Marine Maj. Gen. Carl Jensen relieved Denn of his duties, saying the arrest had eroded good order and discipline within the ranks at Cherry Point and that he was no longer confident in Denn's ability to command, according to a news release from Marine Corps Installations East.

Denn, who had led the air station since August 2009, has been assigned to administrative duties there.

Marine Col. Robert Clinton has assumed command at Cherry Point.

Web Editor: Matthew Burns

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Latest Comments

leo is full of hot air.

Mugu
October 29, 2010 1:26 p.m.

Sherlock, I enjoyed your post. I agree.

Tarheelfan13
October 28, 2010 7:23 p.m.

"When a congressman gets pulled over for DWI, they claim congressional immunity and are let go.

Lets use the Marine Corp code of conduct for congress!!! ncmickey"

Sitting politicians are not pulled over in this state. I once complained to a LEO about someone in the NC Legislature that I saw speeding (I had the tag number). I didn't know the individual speeding, so there wasn't any "bias" there. I was told that LEOs don't run those plates as the HP will show up in their commander's office.......and they never run the tags again. There IS a special exemption in NC for our elected officials.

I doubt this will post. But, I'm trying to see if there's any bias by this site too.

CuriousT
October 28, 2010 6:33 p.m.

Tarheel 13, I agree with u about the level of displaine within the ranks of the military as I'm retire and what you have to say about or rather compare to what LEO have. IMost of the ranks within the LEO system would love to have that level of displaine the only problem is laws prevent them from taking any action like this they have the Due-process law to protect them. The only agency tht can use this level of displaine is the High Sheriff, were an individual can come to work his hair parted wrong and the Sheriff can fire him on the spot w/ no recourse for the indivdual. I feel that if the LEO system could act like the military we would have great officers. At one time the SHP was one of the most respected law enforcement organizations in the world.