Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino will be placing Officer Derrick Gilbert on administrative leave with pay following his arrest for several charges in Pinellas County earlier tonight.  

Gilbert has been arrested and charged with trespassing, domestic battery and battery following an incident at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport at approximately 6:30pm Friday, November 9, 2018.  This incident is being investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief DiPino has ordered Officer Gilbert to be placed administrative leave with pay as soon as he’s released from the Pinellas County Jail.  An Internal Affairs investigation has been initiated.

“We hold our Officers to the highest standard of both professionalism on and off duty,” said Chief DiPino.  “I’ve instructed our Internal Affairs Division to conduct a through investigation.  We will diligently investigate this incident per our policies.”

Due to the active and ongoing Internal Affairs investigation, nothing further is able to be discussed in relation to this incident.  Officer Gilbert is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.