Roxboro police officer placed on adminstrative leave after Raleigh arrest

A Roxboro police officer is on administrative leave after an arrest in Raleigh. 

Joseph Downey Jr., 32, got into an altercation with security guards at a bar and Raleigh police officers, according to the Roxboro Police Department. 

He is facing two misdemeanor charges of intoxicated and disruptive as well as resisting a public officer. 

According to arrest warrants, Downey Jr. was intoxicated in front of 610 Glenwood Avenue and challenged a security guard to a fight.

A Raleigh police officer tried to stop the altercation between Downey Jr. and the security guard, and he resisted the officer and continued to engage with the security guard. 

He was arrested and given a $3,000 bond. He has no previous arrests in North Carolina. 

In a statement, Roxboro Police Chief David Hess said:

Law enforcement officers are held to a high standard of conduct on and off duty. Mr. Downey’s alleged actions do not reflect our department’s core values nor the expectations of a Roxboro police officer by our community. Understanding those values and expectations, Mr. Downey is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. While I am heartbroken for him, his family, and our department, I am equally thankful for the professionalism of the Raleigh Police Department with these unfortunate events.

Downey has been employed as an officer with the Roxboro Police Department since January. He had no prior disciplinary or conduct violations.