Former Mountlake Terrace Police Commander Donald Duncan’s appeal of his termination of employment by the City has been dismissed by the Mountlake Terrace Civil Service Commission.

The decision was handed down on Thursday, Jan. 15. Duncan was terminated by the City of Mountlake Terrace for violations of Mountlake Terrace Police Department Policies.

The termination followed an independent internal investigation by Mountlake Terrace Chief of Police Greg Wilson after a Feb. 1, 2014 arrest of Duncan for driving under the influence. The arrest took place following a traffic stop in Lake Stevens by the Washington State Patrol.

“As a Command Duty Officer, Mr. Duncan is the face of the Department on critical incidents,” City Manager Arlene Fisher said in an earlier press release. “Mr. Duncan’s conduct and actions related to the events on January 31 and February 1, 2014, does not demonstrate the commitment and devotion to the duties and/or responsibilities of a Commander Duty Officer, nor are they representative of the character of the employees of the police department.”

“Additionally, Mr. Duncan’s behavior was a violation of trust and duty to the men and women in the police department and each and every member of the community,” Fisher added.

Duncan, an 18-year veteran of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department, had been promoted to a commander position in June 2012.