Miami-Dade police officer arrested on DUI charges
A seasoned member of the Miami-Dade Police Department found himself on the wrong side of the law Tuesday.
Officer Victor Montalvo, 43, was apprehended on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and DUI with damage to property or person, according to records from the Miami-Dade jail.
On-duty incident leads to arrest
The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday while Montalvo was reportedly on duty.
Driving westbound along Southwest 72nd Street in an unmarked Ford Explorer SUV, Montalvo collided with another officer’s marked police vehicle.
The officer in the marked vehicle was assisting a traffic marking crew at the time, with all emergency equipment activated, according to an arrest report.
Escalating encounter
Following the collision, Montalvo was observed exiting his vehicle unsteadily while the other officer checked on the nearby work crew.
Reports are that Montalvo further exhibited what appeared to be disorientation, reached for his firearm, and assumed a tactical position.
The responding officer promptly drew his weapon and ordered Montalvo to disarm, which he obeyed.
Montalvo was detained and placed in the back of a police car and spontaneously told the other officer “I drank too much,” the report said.
Signs of intoxication
Upon closer examination, responding officers noted signs indicating Montalvo’s intoxication.
The report detailed the smell of alcohol on his breath, watery eyes, and slurred speech.
Montalvo himself reportedly admitted to having consumed excessive alcohol, further confirming officers’ suspicions.
In the aftermath of the incident, Montalvo was taken into custody, refusing to undergo field sobriety tests.
Both officers involved in the collision sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Chief’s response
Miami-Dade Police Chief Stephanie V. Daniels expressed disappointment, emphasizing that such behavior does not align with the department’s values.
Montalvo, a 20-year veteran and detective with the Video Forensic Unit, has been relieved of duty pending further investigation.
Following his arrest, he was granted a $2,000 bond.
