Sep 03, 2022

Off-duty Kansas police detective accused of driving while impaired

Posted Sep 03, 2022 9:00 PM
Adam Welch photo Lawrence Police
Adam Welch photo Lawrence Police

DOUGLAS COUNTY—An off-duty police detective is under investigation after a car crash.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a non-injury motor vehicle accident in the 1500 Block of Lindenwood Lane, according to Police spokesperson Laura McCabe.

The reporting party was inside a home in the area and heard a crash, looked out, and realized her parked car was struck and sustained obvious damage. 

The responding officer immediately recognized the driver as off-duty detective Adam Welch, who was driving his personal vehicle.

The officer alerted supervision, who asked for an on-duty Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper to respond but one was not available. Supervisors called in Douglas County Deputies.

Deputies found probable cause to arrest Welch and believe he was operating his vehicle while impaired, according to McCabe.

Deputies transported Welch to the Douglas County Jail and booked him.

Per protocol, Welch was immediately placed on paid administrative leave pending internal investigation by the Office of Professional Accountability and the Chief of Police.  According to online jail records, Welch is no longer custody.