College board issues statement about president’s arrest

August 7, 2014

Dr. Charles Dillon

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

VICTORY TWP. — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees issued a statement in response to Wednesday night’s arrest of college President Chuck Dillon. Dillon was arrested by Manistee Police Department and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor.

“The Board of Trustees of West Shore Community College was notified this morning by President Charles Dillon that he was involved in a police incident in the city of Manistee last night,” Board Chairman James Jensen said in a statement. “The board understands that the police believe that Dr. Dillon was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

“The board takes this matter very seriously and will take all steps necessary to enforce every aspect of the employment contract between Dr. Dillon and the college. The board will also review board policies in detail as they pertain to this matter.

“The board has immediately begun a full investigation of this matter and will take further action as more information becomes available. It is likely that this investigation will involve both the executive committee of the board and the full board meeting in special session.”

According to Dave Bachman, director of public safety, Dillon was stopped by MPD about 9 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of Olsen Grocery store.

Officers were responding to reports of a drunk driver called into 911, Bachman said.

Dillon was stopped, evaluated and arrested. He apparently refused to take a breath test at the scene and therefore a blood draw was taken and sent in to the Michigan State Police crime lab for results.

He was lodged in the Manistee County Jail overnight.