Sarasota Police Officer Placed On Leave After Incident On Plane

SARASOTA, FL -- Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino has placed Officer Derrick Gilbert on administrative leave with pay following his arrest for several charges in Pinellas County Friday night.

See related story: Sarasota Police Officer Arrested For Pushing Flight Attendant

Gilbert was arrested by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies and charged with trespassing, domestic
battery and battery following an incident at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2018. This incident is being investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Gilbert's administrative leave will take effect as soon as he's released from the Pinellas County Jail. An internal affairs investigation has been initiated as well.

"We hold our officers to the highest standard of both professionalism on and off duty," said DiPino. "I've instructed our Internal Affairs Division to conduct a through investigation. We will diligently investigate this incident per our policies."

Gilbert is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff

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