Arlington Police Officer Allegedly Has Drunken Altercation with Police in Florida
The alleged incident occurred at about 1 a.m. Tuesday in Key West.
An off-duty Arlington police officer allegedly got into a drunken altercation with local police early Tuesday morning while on vacation in Key West, Fla., according to a local news agency.
Michael Wesley, 42, allegedly threatened a Key West police officer, interfered with an investigation and resisted being placed into custody after a woman he was with, who was “highly intoxicated,” was placed into protective custody, according to the KeysNet.com report.
Wesley wasn’t charged but might have been if he wasn’t a police officer, Key West Police Chief Donie Lee told the news site.
“Based on the report, I would have arrested the off-duty police officer,” he said. “Having said that, officers have a wide latitude of discretion in deciding whether to make an arrest. They don’t always use it wisely. This appears to [be] one of those cases. I’m sure the fact that he was a police officer factored into their decision.”
Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan said Saturday his department will conduct an internal investigation into the incident.
“We’re taking this matter seriously,” he said. “The alleged conduct is not representative of the fine women and men of the APD.”
When Wesley’s companion was being placed into custody, he allegedly identified himself as a police officer, put his hands on one of the local officers and called a retired Key West officer, who he said he was friends with, to help him out, according to the report. He then stood in front of the cruiser and went into an expletive-ridden tirade, which included threats toward one of the local officers, the report states.
Wesley then resisted being handcuffed, causing one of the officers to draw his Taser, according to the report. He eventually was placed in handcuffs, and the local officers called Arlington police to verify his identity.
The local officer said that Arlington Police Lt. Ronald Kerr was “deeply apologetic and said he would assist in any way possible on their end,” according to the report.
Drew
7:51 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
He should have been arrested quicker than and ordinary citizen because police should hold themselves to a much higher standard since they are the ones who are supposedly enforcing and preaching the law rather than breaking it. That's ok, though, because all this notoriety will be even more damaging to his career and reputation.
Tim
9:33 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Well nothing to see here folks just keep walking
Steve Johnson
10:55 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
thats a great comment Tim, You are a wanna be firefighter, and obviously think that this guys lively hood is a joke and since hes a cop you should write that. Dont be bitter you cant get a job in Arlington, although you can still drive the zambonie at Lowes!!! :)
Zoltan
10:04 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Women, can't live with them, can't live without them.
I don't know any man that wouldn't vehemently object to his girlfriend being locked up on the dubious charge of public intoxication.
Tim
10:42 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
I feel for this fellow .. There is a tremendously high rate of alcoholism in the profession of police officers and firefighters ... I hope this fellow gets the help he needs ...
Tim
12:07 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Steve, I have no Idea who you think I am . But If this gentelmen was worried about his livelyhood he wouldn't have gotten himself in the mess he was in...
Paul
12:25 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Key West? Did anyone do a strip search to be sure WHAT the "girl friend is? Maybe our Arlingtonian was on the down low, down low in Gat Key West. If true, at least our officer would be able to just take day trips to P town!
Paul
12:31 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Drew... The law is the same for everyone . Priests should be more moral than everyone but the cops are not priests. And the fact that a local cop would give a vacationing cop a break is nothing more than helping a foolish move , non criminal situation , not blow up needlessly. With your logic, all the fools who vote for Obama should be responsible for Bengazi !
Duds
3:03 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
MOONBATS
Wind Dummy 25
11:03 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Cops screw up just like everyone else not good...He lost control in more ways than one. Not good. He is Union, He is a Civil servant? Lawyers- costs Back on duty, good / not good?
Civies lose not good...Watch how you vote. Good
Wind Dummy 25
11:43 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Allegedly of course...
Donald Mei
9:22 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
He benefits from a "professional courtesy". So whats new. He should have been arrested like anyone else. But conversely, I don't think it should affect his job here in Arlington. He was on vacation. As long as he isn't drunk at work, I don't see the problem.
Donald Mei
9:24 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
Its interesting how the local officers called to confirm his status as a LEO. It shouldn't make a difference.
JK P
9:53 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
It does if he is carrying a badge and isn't a police officer. Are you the same guy who suggests people dont pull over for the police.
Donald Mei
12:20 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Very good point. Impersonating is a much worse crime.
I'm not the guy who suggests not pulling over for police. I'm the guy who suggests not pulling over for unmarked cars with flashing lights until you verify it's a cop by dialing 911.
Greg
12:39 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What terrible advice Donald.
Donald Mei
3:13 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
You live your life your way. I live my life my way. I've explicitly asked the APD if they did traffic enforcement with unmarked cars and was told that they did not. Do a web search on how many people are assaulted, raped or killed by people impersonating police with nothing more than a $40 wig wag and some strobes purchased over the internet. Seriously, it happened in Arlington last summer.
Wind Dummy 25
6:03 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
There is not much left in this country or where we plant our flags that we can trust...It's not that it's unfortunate just reality. Folks fail all the time whatever the circumstances. But people succeed also, by being smart.
What people use to trust expect or depend on, has slowly eroded into what we can physically see immediately and quickly determinate.
When government or municipal trust is compromised then exposed it is not sad or surprising, It is just plan old disturbing.