Broward County Attorneys Discuss Cop Charged in Store Stand-Off

A Fort Lauderdale police officer has been charged with three misdemeanors and put on administrative leave with pay following a December 2009 incident at a 7-Eleven Store. His status could change to suspension without pay, which is often a precursor to termination.

According to an investigation, the officer wrestled a customer out of the store and arrested him without cause. The officer was waiting in line at the store and was not in uniform when a clerk informed another customer that he was not allowed in the store because he was suspected of shoplifting during a previous incident. The officer allegedly grabbed the other customer and wrestled him out of the store.

The report filed by the officer said that he identified himself as a law enforcement official and that the customer had reacted in a hostile manner. The customer was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest without violence, but those charges were later dropped. The police officer has five years of service, during which he has been investigated multiple times.

Source: LAUDERDALE COP CHARGED IN STORE CONFRONTATION, South Florida Times
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