While Police Chief Buz Dillon continues to try to convince citizens here that the police department has improved under his command, State Attorney Mark Kohl's sweeping investigation of Dillon's department continues. So far, three current or former officers have been arrested; another has resigned to avoid charges.
And it may not be over. At least one more officer is reportedly negotiating for a probation/suspension deal to avoid a trial.
Last February, the news leaked out that at least six current and former officers were under investigation by the State Attorney's Office. At that time, a source inside the KWPD told Key West The Newspaper that the list included Lt. Al Flowers, Officer Michael Beerbower, former officers Patrick Saunders and Jeff Harris, as well as two other officers.
Last March, after more than 18 years as a Key West cop, Flowers resigned as part of a deal with Kohl to avoid charges of official misconduct. Back in 1998, Flowers had ordered a subordinate to falsify an arrest affidavit charging a suspect with a felony he didn't commit.
The incident had been reported to KWPD internal affairs by an officer on the scene, but the report had been ignored.
The controversial Flowers was no stranger to controversy. He had been reprimanded following an October 2000 incident in which he called a fellow officer a "bull dyke" and the Key West gay community "sodomites".
But when the deal between Flowers and the State Attorney was announced last February, Chief Dillon defended him, suggesting that he had just made a "mistake".
Then, in mid-March, Officer Mike Beerbower was charged with three counts of battery. Back in July 2000, Beerbower had repeatedly punched two handcuffed suspects in the face while other officers watched.
The incident had been reported to KWPD internal affairs by an officer on the scene, but the report had been ignored— although department management was concerned enough to assign Beerbower to ride with another officer for a few days for evaluation. And he was sent to verbal judo class.
Even after Beerbower was charged, Chief Dillon left him on road patrol— until there was another incident. A 38-year-old woman said he made her feel threatened after he banged on the door and barged into a Von Phister Street residence where she was housesitting. Beerbower said he was simply investigating a burglary report.
Finally, Beerbower was transferred to desk duty.
Initially, he told a judge that he was "not guilty". But faced with the possibility of a year in prison and a $1000 fine on each count, he changed his tune and accepted a probation deal which includes a one-month suspension without pay.
Reportedly, Dillon plans to put Beerbower back on duty as soon as possible.
This week, Patrick Saunders and Jeff Harris, both former KWPD officers, were charged with falsifying arrest affidavits following a brawl at Sloppy Joe's Bar in July 2000. Each officer is reportedly charged with two counts of "knowingly falsifying an official record with the intent to cause unlawful harm to another". They could face up to five years in prison and $5000 fines on each count.
Saunders is now a fire marshal with the Florida Division of Insurance. Harris is a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
A source close to the KWPD told Key West The Newspaper this week that a fifth officer is now facing possible charges and "is trying to negotiate a deal like Beerbower did".
Stay tuned.