East Bridgewater police sergeant placed on leave after off-duty drunk driving arrest, officials say

An East Bridgewater police sergeant was arrested Saturday night on drunk driving charges in Raynham after allegedly reaching speeds of roughly 70 miles per hour in a 20 miles per hour zone and has been placed on administrative leave, according to authorities and legal filings.

Thomas E. Flint, 50, was off-duty when he was arrested and immediately placed on leave, police said in a statement.

“He will remain on leave pending the results of an internal investigation and court proceedings,” police said.

The statement didn’t indicate what Flint was arrested for, but court records show he was arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, and speeding stemming from the incident.

Flint pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, according to court papers. His lawyer couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

According to a police report, Flint was seen driving a black Mercedes SUV around 11:20 p.m. in Raynham. Officer Brian Silva saw the SUV “accelerate quickly” and crossed the double yellow line “several times” as it traveled down Pleasant Street, he wrote in the report.

At one point Flint “accelerated to approximately 70 miles per hour in a posted 20 mile per hour zone,” the report.

After Flint pulled his SUV into the driveway of LaLiberte Elementary School, Silva spoke with him and detected signs of intoxication, according to the report. Flint allegedly “took an exaggerated step towards the roadway” when he got out of his car and refused field sobriety tests, according to the report. He later refused a chemical breath test at booking and his license was seized, the report said.

Flint’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 21, records show.

Raynham police confirmed separately in a statement that Flint was arrested for alleged drunken driving.

“He was placed under arrest and his vehicle was towed,” Raynham police said.