Gainesville police officer accused of stalking, false imprisonment

Officer suspended with pay during investigations, police say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Gainesville police officer accused of stalking has been suspended with pay during the investigation, the police department announced Tuesday.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office is investigating allegations of aggravated assault, stalking, false imprisonment and battery against GPD Officer Patrick Hopkins.

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The sheriff's office said GPD came to deputies in mid-February about a domestic violence issue with two GPD employees, including Hopkins. Deputies said the incident happened in Newberry, outside Gainesville limits, which is why the sheriff's office was asked to investigate.

During the investigation, the stalking incident was uncovered, deputies said.

The GPD Internal Affairs Division was contacted and will open an internal investigation, Gainesville police said.

Hopkins has been suspended with pay and will remain suspended through the course of both the criminal and internal investigations, GPD said.

Hopkins was sworn in as a GPD officer on April 4, 2013, and is currently assigned to the K-9 Unit.