The following is a statement from Fishers Police Chief George Kehl about an officer who stopped the principal of Fishers High School on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on Dec. 22 (the principal wasn't arrested that night, but he was charged in the case in January):

"Considerable comment and coverage has been given to a Fishers police officer‘s decision to drive an apparently intoxicated high school principal home instead of driving him to jail. We have already said publicly that that decision probably was not the correct one.

"In the state of Indiana, a misdemeanor arrest is discretionary. Officer Kevin Kobli most certainly wishes he had driven Fishers High School Principal Scott Syverson to jail.

"Capt. Dave Dunbar stated to me, 'I should've advised Officer Kobli to conduct the stop as he would any other, and to arrest Principal Syverson if evidence was present.' He also stated, 'I realize by telling Officer Kobli to use discretion and to do what he thought was best left Officer Kobli without definite direction which is my job as his supervisor.'

"Officer Kobli is an exemplary officer. In 2005, he was awarded the Fishers Police Department's Chief's Award as well as the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police Police Officer of the Year award. Officer Kobli received these honors for his involvement in the life of a little boy who suffered from leukemia.

"Officer Kobli and Capt. Dunbar are going through an incredibly tough time. We all make mistakes.

"We will not punish, reprimand or suspend Officer Kobli. He has been punished enough.

"The lesson learned here is that our policy toward managing arrests of suspected drunken drivers needs to be reviewed and refined. We will begin this process immediately."