Off-Duty Clearwater Police Officer Arrested, Charged With DUI

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — An off-duty Clearwater police officer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Tuesday morning.

Two uniformed Tarpon Springs police officers were parked in marked patrol vehicles at 501 S. Pinellas Ave. when they saw a car being driven erratically as it entered the parking lot where they were parked around 1:10 a.m.

The driver, later identified as 38-year-old Brian R. Tejera, an off-duty Clearwater police officer, parked his car near the officers and began speaking with them. Police said he was acting oddly and making strange comments. One of the officers heard what sounded like a semi-automatic handgun slide being manipulated.

Officers confronted Tejera who voluntarily got out of the car to show he wasn't armed. However, the officers saw a handgun in the car with its magazine removed.

When they continued questioning him, officers said Tejera became aggressive.

He was taken into custody and charged with a DUI. Police also notified his supervisors at the Clearwater Police Department. Tejera was transported to the Pinellas County Jail. The case will be handled by the State Attorney's Office.