A Gainesville Police officer, who will serve a year of probation for domestic battery and weapon charges, resigned from GPD in September.
Patrick Hopkins was accused of battering his then girlfriend and stalking her after they broke up, according to Alligator archives. After his arrest, he was suspended with pay and GPD conducted an internal investigation.
The investigation, which started in February, concluded Sept. 20 and found Hopkins had misused city equipment, acted immorally and unlawfully and was insubordinate, GPD spokesperson Officer Ben Tobias wrote in an email. The investigation also recommended Hopkins be fired, but Hopkins resigned before GPD could fire him.
In December of 2016, Hopkins threatened his girlfriend with his department-issued handgun after an argument in their shared home, according to an Alachua County Sheriff's Office sworn affidavit. During the 15-minute altercation, Hopkins pushed his girlfriend, pointed the gun at her and himself and threatened to shoot. Police were not called during the incident. After, he sent her unwanted texts and called her, threatening her when she tried to break up with him.
Hopkins pled no contest to the ACSO charges and was sentenced with a year of probation, a $628 fine and a court-ordered mental evaluation, according to court records. The judge also ordered Hopkins to submit a letter of resignation to GPD within 30 days of the sentencing.
Hopkins was hired in April of 2013 and was assigned to the K-9 Unit, according Alligator archives.
