An off-duty Tampa Police officer was arrested on DUI charges after being stopped Friday evening in Pasco County. Jesse Horn, a corporal with the Tampa Police Department (TPD), was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. on US Highway 19 in New Port Richey, ABC Action News reported.
According to WTSP, Horn was stopped on the southbound side of the highway near Glissade Drive. During the traffic stop, deputies conducted an investigation and found reasons to believe Horn was driving under the influence. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office effectuated his arrest. "This incident is deeply disappointing to me, our department, and our community,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a release. Bercaw emphasized the trust placed in officers to protect the community and to consistently uphold the law.
Horn, who had been hired by TPD in 2007, was immediately relieved of his duties pending the results of the criminal investigation. Moreover, the Tampa Police Department will also be conducting an internal investigation into the matter.
Our officers are entrusted with upholding the law and protecting our community, Police Chief Lee Bercaw told WFLA, noting the high standards expected of the police force. Horn's immediate suspension serves to maintain the integrity of the department while they investigate the incident fully. The internal probe, alongside the ongoing criminal investigation, aims to address the ramifications of Horn's actions and reinforce the department's commitment to uphold professional conduct.
