An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has been arrested for being under the influence while driving a police car.
Zachary Taylor, a 3-and-a-half year veteran of JSO, was arrested on a first-degree misdemeanor DUI charge Thursday, according to JSO inmate records. He has also been suspended, said JSO Undersheriff Pat Ivey.
Early that morning, witnesses called in to report a marked police vehicle was being driven erratically near TIAA Bank Field, striking construction cones in the area, Ivery said.
Members of JSO’s integrity and special investigations unit then contacted Taylor and reported he was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of either alcohol and/or drugs.
According to Ivey, Taylors blood alcohol level “far exceeded” the legal limit of .08 when he was tested at the Duval County Jail.
Taylor’s recorded blood alcohol level violates JSO policy, which prohibits any alcohol in an officer's system when they are operating an emergency vehicle, Ivery said, adding, “We will move to terminate him as soon as the time is appropriate.”
If found guilty, Taylor could face up to six months in jail. This is the third time a JSO officer has been arrested in 2021.
Tristan Wood can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org or on Twitter at @TristanDWood.
