Berlin Police: RHS Principal was Cooperative During Traffic Stop

The assistant chief for the Berlin Police Department on Wednesday said Rockville High School Principal Eric Baim was both "polite" and "cooperative" on Friday when he was booked for driving under the influence and failure to obey a traffic signal.

He is due in New Britain Superior court on July 27. He is on paid administrative leave and is working out of the central office. No decision has been made abouthis future locally.

Assistant Chief John Klett said that at 1:53 a.m. on Friday, Baim was observed running a red light at the intersection of the Berlin Turnpike and Spruce Brook Road.

Baim's vehicle was pulled over and Baim failed a standardized field sobriety test and a breath test at headquarters produced a blood alcohol level of "over twice the legal limit" of .08 percent, Klett said.

Klett said he never has and will not release an official number on the breath test.

Klett also said Baim did not identify himself as the Rockville High School principal.

Baim lives in Bristol.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway said on Monday that she did not want to comment on any pending personnel matters. The Board of Education conducted an executive session on Monday to discuss the matter but took no action.

Conway was clear that no official recommendation has been made and added that any employee recommended for termination must first get a hearing from a balanced state board. That board then reports to the local school board and the local board then takes on the matter, Conway said.