McNair's arresting officer suspended

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The police officer who arrested Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair on a drunken driving charge last spring violated department policy and was suspended Thursday for 15 days.

Officer Shawn Taylor was suspended following a disciplinary hearing, spokesman Don Aaron said.

Taylor, a six-year police veteran, violated the department's pre-arrest screening policy by improperly telling McNair he would allow him to leave if his breath-alcohol level registered below a certain number. That was after Taylor already witnessed physical evidence indicating McNair was impaired.

Taylor also violated policy by having copies made of videotapes, most of which documented DUI cases -- including McNair's -- and storing those tapes at home and showing at least one of them to his wife.

McNair, voted to the Pro Bowl on Thursday, was arrested May 22 in downtown Nashville and charged with driving while intoxicated and possessing a handgun while intoxicated. McNair has a permit for the 9 mm handgun, but an intoxicated person cannot legally carry a loaded weapon in Tennessee.

Police said McNair's blood-alcohol level was 0.18 percent when he was arrested, above Tennessee's limit of 0.10 at the time. The legal limit for presumed intoxication while driving was lowered to 0.08 in July.