CLEARWATER -- A police officer is on leave after being arrested by Pinellas deputies early Thursday.
The Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Jason Lambe was arrested outside a Dunedin home, during a domestic violence incident around 2 a.m. Their release says the victim stated Lambe arrived at her home uninvited last Sunday (23), took her cell phone and wouldn't let her leave. During the next few days, deputies say, Lambe refused to allow the victim to leave, battered her and threatened to kill her and himself. Lambe had previously been in a relationship with the woman.
Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter says the department has begun the process of firing Lambe. Slaughter says CPD is "deeply troubled" by what happened and the alleged behavior is inexcusable. Lambe joined the agency in 2006.
Lambe was taken to the Pinellas jail on charges of false imprisonment, domestic battery, witness tampering, assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting without violence.
Photo: Pinellas Sheriff