Felony charge costs Gary recruit police job

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Emmitt L. Smith, 23, former candidate for Gary police officer, arrested early Sunday and charged with felony fleeing. | Provided Photo~Sun-Times Media ptmet

Updated: January 23, 2012 2:46AM

GARY—Police recruit Emmitt L. Smith was charged Monday with resisting law enforcement, the same day officials said he will no longer be considered for a position on the department.

Smith, 23, of 6900 Hemlock Ave., was arrested early Sunday after leading Patrolman Donald Briggs on a pursuit that began when police responded to a domestic dispute.

Briggs chased a green 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix from 21st Avenue and Carolina Street to a cul-de-sac five blocks north where the driver sped through several lawns until police could box in the car and apprehend the driver.

His passenger jumped out and ran and was not arrested, police said.

Cmdr. Anthony Stanley said Smith is a military police officer with the Indiana National Guard and, until his arrest, was considered a good candidate for one of several vacancies on the department.

Smith was charged with felony resisting and faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the charged.

Although his blood alcohol level was
.14 percent, almost twice Indiana’s legal limit of .08 percent for drunken driving, he was
not charged with that crime, court records show.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258