SWEETWATER, Fla. (WSVN) — A Sweetwater police officer was arrested, Monday, following an investigation involving a crash from last year.
"This is behavior that cannot be accepted," said Sweetwater Police Chief Placido Diaz
According to police, Alejandro Ramos sped through a red light and caused a crash at Flagler Street and Southwest 107th Avenue. He was reportedly on his way to another police scene at a bank.
In the written accident report, Florida Highway Patrol investigators said, Ramos repeatedly claimed he stopped at the red light before proceeding. The initial report stated, "…He stopped at the intersection clearing the right and left before proceeding across the intersection when a truck came out of nowhere hitting him." However, the arrest affidavit contradicted what was caught on camera.
Sweetwater rules state that officials must stop before bypassing red lights. Therefore, he was arrested.
"It felt really horrible seeing one of our own being taken to jail," said Diaz. "But, then again, the norm here and in the past with prior police administrations were, in some cases, that cover ups were the norm. But that’s not the norm here anymore."
Ramos faces a charge of official misconduct by a public servant. He’s been placed on administrative leave without pay as this case makes it way through court.
He has received a $5,000 bond.