Florida International University’s deputy police chief was arrested late Friday after a bar fight with police in Coral Cables, FL, cops say. The deputy chief was drunk and disorderly after refusing to leave the bar, police say.
Benjamin Guerrero, 61, is the deputy police chief for Florida International University. On November 17, 2018 Guerrero was at the Hillstone bar consuming alcoholic beverages. Guerrerro began arguing with bar staff about his bar bill NBC Miami News reports.
Coral Gables police officers then approached Guerrerro and asked him to leave, Guerrerro is seen in a dispute with officers. That’s when the officers grabbed Guerrerro to escort him out. But it was at that point that Guerrerro allegedly elbowed the officers and then an altercation ensued.
Guerrero also allegedly cursed at officers during the incident and smelled of alcohol. Guerrero was eventually subdued and arrested.
Florida International University also confirmed Guerrero’s arrest. Guerrero oversees the department’s investigations and compliance division. Alexander Casas, chief of the Florida International University Police Department released this statement:
“We are saddened to hear of the arrest of one of our officers last night. FIUPD holds all our officers to the highest standards of behavior. We are taking appropriate administrative action regarding this incident”
Guerrerro was charged with three charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and one charge of disorderly conduct.
Guerrerro earned his law degree from Florida International University in 2007, according to the Florida Bar.
Guerrerro has been the deputy chief since 2013. Before that, he was an attorney with the Florida Department of Children and Families, and also spent nearly three decades with the Miami-Dade Police Department, records show.
