Officer charged with DUI after several 99-proof alcohol bottles found in patrol car: police
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – A patrol officer in Alaska has been charged with DUI after allegedly driving his patrol car while under the influence last month.
According to Anchorage police, the situation stems from March 9, when an off-duty officer called a sergeant and reported their concerns that Officer Charles Bowser may be driving while impaired.
The reporting officer claimed Bowser, who was off-duty, had been calling and texting her throughout the day while appearing bothered. She said she also saw him pull his patrol car into a driveway at a high rate of speed.
The officer said she spoke to Bowser and could tell he was either drunk or upset. He then exited the car, briefly went into his apartment and then sat on the front steps.
Fellow officers responded to Bowser’s location and reported finding him on the front steps, slumped over and smelling of alcohol.
Medical was called after officers couldn’t wake him. Authorities say when Bowser finally woke up, he shrugged his shoulders when medics asked how much he had to drink.
Bowser was taken to the hospital, where his blood alcohol level was reported to be more than three times the legal limit.
Anchorage police said officers at the scene reported finding a 10-pack of 99-proof shooter bottles on the passenger seat of Bowser’s car, with three missing.
In the trunk, the officers said they found an empty 99 Brand Party Pack that had originally contained 50 mL bottles of 99-proof alcohol.
Additionally, a nearly empty bottle of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky was also found in the weapon rack between the driver and passenger seats, according to charging documents.
Authorities noted that the patrol car’s video system showed what officers deemed concerning driving behavior, where the vehicle could be seen narrowly avoiding a guardrail, making abrupt lane changes, failing to stop at some stop signs and traveling at speeds above 80 mph.
Bowser has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation, according to the Anchorage Police Department. He has been with the agency since 2014.
He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on May 18.
Copyright 2026 KTUU via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
For more U.S. news, click here.
