Crime & Safety
Tampa Police Officer, Hillsborough Deputy Arrested For Driving Offenses: Officials
A Tampa police officer was arrested for speeding more than 100 mph and a Hillsborough deputy was charged with DUI, officials said.
TAMPA, FL — Over the weekend, two law enforcement officers with different local agencies were arrested while driving.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested Saturday night for driving under the influence, the agency said in a news release.
Richard Michael Garcia, 32, was pulled over by deputies near Gunn Highway and Normandie Road in Citrus Park around 11:30 p.m.
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Garcia showed signs of impairment and refused to participate in standardized field sobriety exercises or give a breath sample, the sheriff’s office said.
He was arrested and charged with DUI and refusal to submit to testing.
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Hired by HCSO in November 2020, he is assigned to the District I Street Crimes Unit. He is currently on administrative leave without pay pending the results of an internal affairs investigation.
Meanwhile, an off-duty officer with the Tampa Police Department was arrested Sunday morning on charges of dangerous excessive speeds, the agency said in a news release.
Jason Brown was arrested just before 6:30 a.m. by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Interstate 75 south near Big Bend Road for driving in excess of 100 miles per hour and recklessly weaving in and out of travel lanes, Tampa police said.
Hired in 2008, Brown was placed on administrative duty due to an unrelated internal investigation. As part of that ongoing investigation, his recent arrest will also be reviewed as part of the administrative process, police said.
"I am deeply disappointed by this incident. Driving at excessive speeds and recklessly endangering others is unacceptable and directly contradicts our department's mission," police Chief Lee Bercaw said. "Alongside our community, I expect our officers to lead by example, and this conduct falls short of that expectation."
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