JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer has been accused of false imprisonment and misdemeanor domestic battery, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced Thursday.

On Jan. 23, officers were dispatched to Christopher Bowens’ home. Waters said officers learned Bowens, 30, grabbed the arm of the victim and blocked a doorway for “30 to 40 minutes” to stop the victim from leaving.

Bowens was hired in 2022 and he resigned after the arrest.

Waters said the agency will hold employees accountable if investigators find probable cause that a crime was committed. 

“I’ve said many times, no one is above the law,” Waters said.

He said employees did not need additional training to know not to “hit or touch someone” they know they shouldn’t.

“We don’t want employees that violate Florida law,” Waters said. “We don’t want employees that violate policy. We want employees that have very high standards themselves. They go through a long rigorous process. You can’t come today, fill out an application and get hired tomorrow.”