Nashville officer charged after failing sobriety test

A Metro Nashville police officer was arrested on DUI and firearm charges after arriving at the Midtown Hills Precinct with visible signs of intoxication. The department identified the suspect as Jordan Vrbas, 39, a veteran officer with 11 years of service. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Vrbas reported for duty in a state that raised concerns among his immediate supervisors.

Supervisors at the Midtown Hills station requested an internal investigation by the Traffic Division upon observing Vrbas. The investigating officer noted a distinct odor of alcohol on Vrbas and observed specific signs of impairment during standardized field sobriety tasks. The source article notes that the officer registered a breath alcohol level of 0.11%, which exceeds the 0.08% legal threshold set by Tennessee law.

Following the field evaluation, Vrbas was charged with driving under the influence and possessing a firearm while under the influence. The police department confirmed that Vrbas was immediately decommissioned, removing him from his active duty status. This action ended his regular patrol assignments pending further review by the department.

The department’s Office of Professional Accountability has launched a separate administrative investigation into the incident. This parallel review examines the internal protocols and conduct standards regarding officer fitness for duty. The administrative process is distinct from the criminal charges filed against Vrbas but operates concurrently to determine internal disciplinary measures.

The arrest and subsequent decommissioning highlight the department’s protocol for handling officer impairment on shift. Vrbas, who has served in the Midtown Hills Precinct, is now subject to both criminal prosecution and internal administrative review. The next scheduled step involves the completion of the administrative file, which will inform final departmental decisions on his employment status.