SEMO public safety director arrested on suspicion of DWI

Southeast Missouri State University's director of public safety, James Douglas Richards, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department received a call from an anonymous driver who reported a driver committing several traffic violations, according to a news release from the department.

Police stopped the vehicle at Pacific and Good Hope streets. Richards, 59, was identified as the driver, was arrested and taken to the police department.

Richards later was released with citations for ordinance violations and failure to drive on the right side of the roadway.

The Department of Public Safety oversees the university's police, transit, parking and emergency-preparedness divisions.

Richards is on medical leave, according to the university.

SEMO News Bureau director Ann Hayes said the nature of Richards' medical leave was personal, and she declined to clarify further.