Police: Sheriff's lieutenant arrested at home, tried to kick out patrol car windows

APOPKA, Fla. — Channel 9 has been sorting through recordings Friday night that detail an Orange County deputy's erratic behavior right before she was arrested.

Tressa Paul-Chavis was allegedly drunk and belligerent at her home last night with former Undersheriff Malone Stewart.

Chavis said she didn't do anything wrong and kept repeating over and over that she did not violate any Florida state statutes.

That's not what Apopka police said.

In a recording from the back of an Apopka police car, Chavis can be heard saying, "Open the door now and turn the … lights off."

Chavis' husband said he called 911 because his wife and Stewart were drunk and belligerent.

Stewart allegedly threatened to "blast" Chavis' husband.

Officers said they found Stewart crying in the back yard.

When they started questioning him, police said Chavis tried to stop them.

She became such a nuisance, they arrested her.

Things took a downward spiral after Chavis allegedly kicked the glass while in the back of the cruiser.

"I have protected this community for the past 21 years with all my heart," Chavis said.

She denied doing anything wrong and demanded to see Sheriff Jerry Demings.

She told the officers they only arrested her because she's black, then she said under her breath, "Damn black people get a bad rap."

Chavis was taken to the Apopka Police Department where a video was recorded of an Orange County watch commander relieving her of duty.

She still could not believe she was in handcuffs.

Chavis has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of Apopka's charges and Orange County's internal investigation.

WFTV