Law Enforcement Officer Of The Year Settles Second OVI Case
On April 13, Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Mel Romans pleaded guilty to having physical control of a vehicle while impaired and was fined $646.00, according to records filed with the Circleville Municipal Court.
Melanie Amato, the Division's Public Relations Adviser, said Sgt. Romans, 42, has returned to his assignment in the Recruiting Unit.
Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested Sgt. Romans for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) and speeding around 1:24 on the morning of March 12 near Northridge Road and Nicholas Drive in Circleville. The trooper clocked Sgt. Romans' 2018 Chevy pickup truck traveling at 50 miles per hour in a 35.
An OSHP spokesperson said that Sgt. Romans agreed to take a breathalyzer test but said the machine malfunctioned twice, and the trooper could not obtain a sample.
Sgt. Romans was Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Officer of the Year last year.
In 2014, OSHP cited Romans for operating a vehicle under the influence and driving 63 in a 35. Sgt. Romans pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of having physical control of vehicle while impaired and was fined $600.