BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Bear Valley police officer who accidentally shot himself in the leg at the Oak Tree Country Club on News Year's Eve has been charged with a single count of misdemeanor drunken disorderly conduct, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office.
Officer Chad Foss was placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Around 10 p.m. on New Year's Even, officers responded to the country club to find officer Foss off-duty with a non-life threatening gun shot injury to his leg. According to court documents, Foss was under "extreme alcohol intoxication."
Police reported that Foss "had red watery eyes," and had "extreme difficulty carrying on a cohesive conversation, due to his level of intoxication," court records show.
Chief Tim Melanson of the Bear Valley Police Department issued the following statement concerning the incident:
I share in the community’s concern over this officer’s actions and recognize the danger the officer posed to the public. Such carelessness does not reflect the values and professional standards of this department. I want to assure Bear Valley residents that the Bear Valley Police Department is committed to a course of action that will prevent this type of incident from ever repeating itself.
