Vero Beach Police Officers Joshua Harris and Nicholas Knutson, both facing termination, have resigned following their arrests in October on charges stemming from a heavy night of drinking at Filthy’s Fine Cocktails and Beer.
Police Chief David Currey on Monday released the results of a three-week-long internal investigation of the circumstances surrounding a late-night altercation between Harris and a female uniformed officer, Britton Fuller, who at the time was dating Harris. Knutson, who returned to the bar to pick up Harris, was arrested for DUI.
Harris was arrested for disorderly conduct after arguing with Officer Fuller, who had followed him in her squad car when he left the bar on foot.
Harris had given Fuller his keys earlier in the evening and though she offered him a ride home, he repeatedly asked for his keys back. The two quarreled and Harris took his frustration out by knocking loose the side rearview mirror on Fuller’s police car.
For her part in the incident, Fuller was suspended for two days for less severe violations of department policy related to use of the police radio and activities not permitted on police time.
Knutson, who drove up to the scene in his pickup truck looking for Harris, declined to submit to a breathalyzer examination, which typically results in an automatic six-month suspension of driver license privileges. He was arrested on a DUI following the administration of roadside sobriety tests by the Vero Beach Police Department.
Filthy’s bartender Molli Souza told Lt. Matt Monaco that she thought the liquor the two men had been drinking was starting to “hit” them, so she began serving them water. Receipts obtained from Filthy’s showed that Harris paid for seven Moscow Mules, seven gin and tonics, six fireball shots and one Jameson whisky on one tab, plus an additional six shots of Fireball on a separate receipt. Knutson’s tab showed one receipt for four gin and tonics and a Moscow Mule, plus another receipt for four gin and tonics.
The investigation report quotes Harris as apologizing to Monaco and saying, “I worked here three years. You know that this is not the type of person that I am. I’m not going to sit here and make excuses, I drank too much, um I lost my temper and I caused some damage to city property. I am not denying that. I have no reason to. I love this job. I do not want to do anything else.”
International Union of Police Associations Local 6019 President Det. Bradley Kmetz was not aware on Monday that Currey had sent out a press notice about the resignations, but said he had no comment about the proceedings.
This outcome reflects only the administrative side of the case; criminal charges are still pending against Harris and Knutson. The arrests were made on Oct. 10 by Vero Beach Police officers who were called to the scene. Harris and Knutson were out on bail the afternoon following their arrest.
“Pursuant to a mutual agreement, the officers were afforded an opportunity to resign in lieu of termination. Officer Nicholas Knutson turned in his Resignation Notice on November 9th, 2016. Officer Joshua Harris turned in his Resignation Notice on November 10th, 2016,” Currey said in a written statement.
