Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley was arrested early Wednesday in Arizona on charges of driving while impaired.

Police say they noticed Barkley, 45, running a stop sign in the Old Town section of Scottsdale at about 1:30 a.m. Officers pulled Barkley over, took him to a nearby mobile command post, and administered a blood test after declining to submit to a breath test, according to Gilbert, Ariz., police Lt. Eric Shuhandler.

Barkley was issued a citation for driving while impaired and released pending the results, which normally takes about a week, Shuhandler said.

“He was very nice and professional,” Shuhandler said, adding the entire arrest process took place without incident, and Barkley was civil and cooperative throughout.

For a first offense, someone found guilty of the charge Barkley faces might expect between one to 10 days in jail, the suspension of driving privileges for 90 days, and a fine of $1,000 or more, Shuhandler said.

Barkley, who gained notoriety for a quick temper and blunt language during his years as an NBA player, represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. In October, he announced that he would be a candidate for governor of his home state of Alabama in 2014.