Pensacola Police Officer Arrested, Charged Under State HIV Disclosure Law

Pensacola, FL (BuzzReport) — A Pensacola police officer has been arrested and charged under a Florida statute related to the disclosure of HIV infection, according to the Pensacola Police Department.

Police officials confirmed that Officer Pierce Cotton was taken into custody Friday and charged with violating Florida State Statute 384.24(2). The law makes it unlawful for a person who knows they are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to engage in sexual intercourse without first informing the other person of the infection and obtaining their consent.

Under the statute, individuals who have been informed they carry HIV and understand that the disease can be transmitted through sexual intercourse must disclose that information to a partner before engaging in sexual activity. Failure to do so constitutes a criminal offense under Florida law.

The Pensacola Police Department said Cotton has been placed on administrative leave while the case proceeds. Officials also confirmed that an Internal Affairs investigation has been opened to review the circumstances surrounding the arrest and determine whether any departmental policies were violated.

Authorities declined to release additional details about the incident, including information about the investigation or the circumstances that led to the charge.

Police officials also noted that mugshots of law enforcement officers are generally exempt from public records release due to officer safety considerations, meaning Cotton’s booking photo will not be made public.

The criminal case will now move through the judicial process as the internal departmental review continues. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.