Two off-duty Vero Beach police officers are on administrative leave after being arrested early Monday morning.
The two officers have been identified as Nicholas Knutson, 27, and 30-year-old Joshua Harris.
Early Monday morning, police said they responded to "Filthy's Bar" to perform a foot patrol of the bar. It was there that officers said they found Harris intoxicated and walking home.
Police said they were concerned about Harris' well-being, so they followed him to make sure he didn't wander into traffic because he refused a ride.
The police report says that Harris became angry in the 1600 block of 16th St. near the Vero Beach Citrus Bowl because he was being followed. Police said he then started cursing at Officer Britton Fuller at the scene.
Police said they began to worry about Fuller's safety, who said Harris had punched her patrol car and right side mirror, causing it to fall off.
Officers said Harris admitted to punching the mirror and was taken into custody.
Harris is charged with criminal mischief and disorderly intoxication.
When police were investigating the incident involving Harris at the Vero Beach Citrus Bowl, a truck driven by Knutson pulled up to the scene and parked near the officers.
One of the officers said he could smell alcohol on Knutson's breath and noticed his eyes were bloodshot.
After conducting an investigation, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest him on DUI charges.
Jail records indicate both men posted $1,000 bond Monday and were released.
At a Tuesday morning news conference, Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey spoke about the arrests.
“We police our community, and we police ourselves and we should, and we’re not above the law. It’s about doing the right thing, and we feel that we’ve done that, and we’ll se how this plays out," said Currey.
Press conference, which was held at the VBPD at 11am this morning, in reference to the arrest of two... https://t.co/eSBZYiueE1
— Vero Beach Police (@VeroBeachPD) October 11, 2016
