Hundreds of Cops Break Bad Again After Second Chance

According to an explosive news report that shines yet another light on police misconductMore than 500 Florida police officers who were given a second opportunity after being forced out at another agency in the state later committed offenses that cost them their badges.

Most of that group was bounced from the force a second (or third, or fourth) time for committing crimes, including drug offenses, sexual assault, and even murder, The Naples Daily News’ Devan Patel reports.

According to the Daily News, the cops in question were largely allowed a second (or third, or fourth) shot because local law enforcement agencies do not have the resources to do extensive background checks. The minimum standards for police officers, set by state law, did not explicitly ban them from working as a cop elsewhere after washing out at a prior stop.

“The same minimum requirements have left hundreds of questionable hires currently on agency payrolls, including dozens of officers with such poor character that they could be barred from testifying in court,” Patel reports.

The report should raise concerns for all Floridians about the character of the cops policing their communities and patrolling their streets. For people who are charged with or suspected of crimes across the Sunshine State, whether it is a sex offense or another crime, the report raises potentially serious questions about whether the case against you will be able to stand up in court.

Patel focused particularly on Joseph Floyd, a Crestview police officer who turned his department into “a criminal enterprise.” Floyd was accused of using excessive force and filing false police reports and sexual assault, bribery, and planting evidence to support false arrests.

It turns out that Floyd, who was eventually sentenced to 12 years behind bars, had been fired by three other law enforcement agencies in the state before joining the Crestview Police Department: Sarasota County, Bay County, and Sneads.

“A background investigation would have revealed that Floyd has demonstrated that he did not have the necessary character traits to be a good officer,” a grand jury said during Floyd’s 2012 indictment.

How Our Florida Entrapment Attorneys Can Help

If you or a loved one has been charged with or is suspected of a sex crime or other offense in Florida, it is important to have an experienced attorney in your corner. A lawyer can help you build the strongest possible defense, including by exploring whether undercover police officers entrapped you.

At Whittel & Melton, our Florida entrapment attorneys represent clients throughout the Sunshine State who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses, including child pornography, sexual assault, rape, internet solicitation, and offenses involving victims who are minors. We work tirelessly to fight these charges head-on to get charges dropped or reduced whenever possible.

Our firm handles cases throughout the state, including in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola. Contact us online or call 866-608-5529 for a free evaluation from our Florida entrapment attorneys.