The Salt Lake City police spokesman is back on duty after coming forward to working with alcohol in the system

Communications Director Brent Weisberg has been placed on four weeks’ paid leave after responding to working with alcohol in his system, police said in a statement.

Salt Lake City Police Department Communications Director Brent Weisberg returned to work Tuesday, about a month after he allegedly responded to a murder scene involving alcohol in his system and was subsequently disciplined, officials announced this week.

Weisberg was alcohol tested On February 10, after allegations that he was “on the job and operating his municipal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol,” Salt Lake City Police said in a statement.

Weisberg’s position as the police department’s communications director involves disseminating critical safety information to the public. He has been employed in the department since the summer of 2021, according to Weisberg in earlier communications.

His blood alcohol content was measured at 0.027% — just over half the state’s legal limit of 0.05%, the statement said. It is against Salt Lake Police Department policy for an employee to go to work or operate a city vehicle with a detectable amount of alcohol on their system.

“Follow-up SLCPD testing found no evidence of alcohol impairment or intoxication,” the statement said. “Rather, it was established that Director Weisberg had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.”

According to the press release, Weisberg was put on four weeks of paid administrative leave during the internal investigation and the “subsequent disciplining”. Officials did not specify what subsequent discipline Weisberg received.

Internal investigators determined that Weisberg “did not fail in his actions,” but “miscalculated the time it took for his body to metabolize a measurable amount of alcohol before operating his city vehicle and responding to the service,” police said a statement.

“I take responsibility for my actions,” Weisberg said in the press release. “The mere fact that I have put myself in this position is disappointing, both personally and professionally – and I am deeply sorry.”

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said in a statement that he has “complete confidence” in Weisberg and that he believes Weisberg will continue to perform his duties “consistent with our department’s core values.”

“While we take this seriously, I appreciate Brent’s full cooperation with the investigation and his prompt acceptance of responsibility,” Brown said in the statement. “With Brent back to work, the Salt Lake City Police Department can continue to meet the expectations of our communities.”

Weisberg previously worked as communications director for the Oregon District Attorney’s Office of Multnomah County. In his position at SLCPD, he earned about $134,949 last year, not including benefits, according to public payroll data.