Arrested officer on drug unit

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 9, 2004

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TAMPA - James Vincent Dausch, an off-duty Tampa police officer who was charged with possessing cocaine at a Channelside nightclub Saturday, worked on the department's antidrug squad, authorities said Monday.

According to Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin, Dausch has been with the department for nine years, most recently with the Quick Uniformed Attack on Drugs Squad.

The unit's goal is to "aggressively work toward the reduction of open street drug dealing within the city," according to the department's Web site.

Dausch has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.

According to a Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit, bouncers at the nightclub Banana Joe's reportedly escorted Dausch outside after observing him with a bag of white powder in a club restroom before 2 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses saw him drop the bag, reports state.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Dausch, 35, on a felony charge of cocaine possession.