Reno officer suspected of DUI had prior arrest last year

Reno Police Chief Jerry Hoover said he was unaware of Sgt. Greg Dion's previous conviction until Sparks police discovered it this week.

"We didn't know. We don't run checks on our people all of the time," Hoover said."We consider it very serious. Sparks just compounded it."

Dion, a 28-year department veteran, was arrested April 30 for suspected DUI after allegedly hitting a parked trailer in Sparks while off duty.

He remained on paid administrative leave pending completion of an internal investigation. Hoover said that will include the Sparks police criminal investigation and details of his first arrest.

Records show Dion was convicted April 14, 1998 for driving under the influence in Plumas County, Calif. He served two days in jail, was placed on three years probation and ordered to attend a DUI class.

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