An Ironton Police officer charged last week with DUI and other traffic violations was arraigned yesterday in Ironton Municipal Court.

Beth Rist pleaded innocent to the charges of driving while intoxicated, driving left of center and driving without headlights. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for May 1.

The charges stem from an incident April 10 in which Rist allegedly went with another woman to a residence in the 2000 block of South Seventh Street. When another police officer was called to handle the disturbance that ensued, he allegedly found Rist in an inebriated state. According to a report filed on the matter, Rist was taken back to her residence by a police supervisor.

Rist has said through her attorney, Mark McCown, that Rist denies all the charges against her and believes the charges stem from on-going tension between Rist and other members of the police department.

Rist sued the city and department in 1999 for gender discrimination and harassment. The suit was settled out of court and the outcome was sealed.