Commission adopts stayed three‑month suspension for Sacramento deputy Matt White after DUI convictions

The Peace Officer Standards and Training commission voted to adopt the advisory board's recommendation to impose a three‑month suspension, stayed subject to probationary conditions, on Sacramento County Deputy Matt White after reviewing two driving‑under‑the‑influence convictions.

Division presenters told the commission the division found clear and convincing evidence that Deputy White violated Penal Code §13510.8 (B6) because two DUI convictions were sufficiently egregious or repeated to be inconsistent with the obligations of a peace officer. The advisory board recommended a three‑month suspension with the term stayed provided the deputy comply with terms set by POST staff; the board vote was a majority in favor with a stayed suspension suggested.

Deputy White and counsel Joseph Hoffman described mitigation: the convictions were separated by time, neither involved aggravating circumstances such as high speeds or weapons, and White has since engaged in treatment. "I accept what I've done," White told the commission, describing a 45‑day residential treatment program for first responders, weekly therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous attendance. Hoffman asked that any suspension be stayed with probation conditions because White has taken substantial corrective steps and has no prior POST discipline.

Commissioners discussed standard probation terms in POST's recently adopted disciplinary guidelines, including quarterly reporting, abstaining from alcohol, periodic testing and cooperation with POST staff. The motion to adopt the advisory recommendation included the standard terms plus optional conditions commonly used in DUI cases: criminal probation reporting (if applicable), periodic alcohol testing and a requirement to abstain from alcohol use; the commission also noted the deputy had completed a residential treatment program and weekly therapy that POST staff may consider when drafting specific probation conditions.

Roll call for the motion recorded a majority in favor; one commissioner had recused themselves from the vote earlier in the proceeding. POST staff will draft a written probation agreement specifying the standard and optional terms, and the commission retained jurisdiction to act if probation terms are violated.

Next steps: POST staff will prepare a formal stay‑of‑suspension agreement reflecting the commission's selection of standard terms (reporting, cooperation, abstention, and testing) and any additional probationary conditions. The agreement will be transmitted to the deputy for acceptance and incorporated into the commission's order if accepted.