Roxboro police officer arrested in Raleigh bar incident, placed on leave

A Roxboro police officer was arrested early Sunday morning following an incident at a bar in Raleigh's Glenwood South district, according to WRAL and CBS17. Joseph Downey Jr., 32, was charged with two misdemeanors: intoxicated and disruptive conduct and resisting a public officer, as reported by ABC11 WTVD and WRAL.

The arrest occurred after Downey, who began working with the Roxboro Police Department in January 2026, was allegedly intoxicated in public near 610 Glenwood Avenue. He reportedly got into an altercation with a security guard and resisted efforts by Raleigh police officers to intervene, according to WRAL and ABC11.

Following the incident, Downey was placed on administrative leave by the Roxboro Police Department pending an internal investigation, as stated by CBS17 and WRAL. The department emphasized that his alleged actions do not align with their core values or community expectations.

Authorities noted that Downey had no prior disciplinary or conduct violations with the department before this incident, according to ABC11. He was released on a $3,000 bond, and the investigation is ongoing.

This development highlights the standards law enforcement officers are held to both on and off duty, as noted by the Roxboro Police Department in statements reported by WRAL and ABC11.