Brandon Rothwell

A Nisswa police officer has been fired for coming to work drunk and driving a squad car while under the influence of alcohol.

According to city administrator Jenny Max, Brandon Rothwell arrived to work at 3 a.m. September 10, 2019 under the influence of alcohol. Police Chief Craig Taylor arrived at 7:50 a.m. and asked Rothwell if he had been drinking. Once Rothwell said he hadn’t been drinking, Taylor asked him to take a breathalyzer test which came back at .17. The blood alcohol reading was more than twice the legal limit for driving. Rothwell then confessed that he had been drinking, and turned in his badge and gun.

After two months on paid leave, Rothwell was officially fired on November 7. The investigation records became public after he failed to file a grievance into his termination. Rothwell previously agreed to breath test conditions as a result from his last disciplinary action in December 2018 under similar circumstances, where he was given a one-week suspension for coming into work under the influence.

Brandon Rothwell graduated from Central Lakes College and not long after joined the Nisswa Police Department in 2002. In 2016, Rothwell was promoted to sergeant after more than 14 years with the force.

By — Chantelle Calhoun