Former Cal State Fullerton officer charged with driving under the influence while on duty

A former Cal State Fullerton police officer was charged Thursday with driving under the influence while on duty on the campus.

Thomas Henry Higgs, 59, is facing misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, court records show.

Prosecutors allege that Higgs showed “objective signs of intoxication” during a briefing at the college police department at about 8 p.m. on May 7, 2018. They also allege that he drove a marked patrol car around the campus with a blood alcohol content of .09 percent.

Higgs’ fellow officers notified their command staff, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Higgs was arrested that night, cited, released and driven home by another employee, Cal State Fullerton police Capt. Scot Willey said.

Willey confirmed that Higgs is no longer employed by the department. The captain said the department supported the OCDA investigation and the decision to file charges, but declined to comment further due to the ongoing court case.

Higgs worked for the Cal State Fullerton Police Department for 27 years, rising to the rank of sergeant, Willey said.

Prosecutors on Thursday sent Higgs a letter outlining the charges he is facing and ordering him to appear in court for an arraignment on Aug. 2.

If convicted, Higgs faces up to six months in county jail.