A Miami police officer was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence after he was found passed out in a car with a gun on his lap, authorities said.
Joevanih Sauvagere, 31, was arrested Tuesday morning on one count of DUI, an arrest report said.
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According to the report, a Miami-Dade Schools officer was reportedly flagged down about a silver vehicle in the area of Northwest 6th Avenue and 62nd Street.
The officer later discovered Sauvagere passed out inside the car with a gun on his lap, the report said.
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"I immediately smelled a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitted from his breath," an officer wrote in the report. "He had bloodshot, watery eyes and his eyelids were droopy."
Sauvagere was ordered to place the vehicle in park, which he allegedly struggled to do.
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Responding officers said he initially refused a field sobriety test, the report said.
Sauvagere was later pulled out of the vehicle and taken into custody.
He was transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and his bond was set at $1,000.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales spoke about the arrest on Wednesday, saying that while he doesn’t know what the officer is going through, the behavior is unacceptable.
"This is an example that signals to our community, we are not above the law and Miami Police Department will hold all its members from me on down to the most rookie officer to the highest of standards," Morales said. "Things that are not acceptable for our community will not be acceptable from any member of this department as long as my administration is here.”
Morales said Sauvagere bonded out and is now at home on paid leave, relieved of duty while the case moves through the courts.
