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Highlands Today

AP Police Deal With Aftermath Of Officers' Arrests

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 6, 2008

AVON PARK - On Wednesday, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said "disappointment" and "sadness" were the two words he used with his team when addressing the suspension of receiver Plaxico Burress.
Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney used those same words Thursday when discussing the arrest of two of his officers for police misconduct over the past two weeks.

"Am I disappointed in their behavior? Absolutely," Doughney said. "Am I saddened? Yeah, because they broke the public's trust, they broke the trust of their fellow officers and look what their families are dealing with."

Alberto Perez, 33, an APPD officer since July 2007, was arrested Tuesday by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Sebring field office and charged with one count of threats or extortion.

The charge stems from allegations that he, along with fellow officer Adam Willis, extorted money from Hispanic Avon Park residents during traffic stops, specifically an April 19 stop, where the victim told authorities Perez said to pay him $200 and there would be no ticket, according to the arrest affidavit.

Perez's arrest was preceded by the Nov. 19 apprehension of Willis, 30, on charges of first-degree armed burglary and grand theft of more than $300.

Willis' charges stem from allegations that he stole money and a pack of cigarette rolling papers from an unlocked car parked on North Central Avenue in Avon Park.

The car was being used by the FDLE and the APPD for an undercover operation. It was equipped with electronic surveillance devices and reportedly caught Willis removing the items while wearing a pair of gloves."

Doughney said the arrests have been hard on the department. He described the other officers as "hurt," but commended them for continuing with their duties in a "professional" manner.

"They're not calling in sick and they're not hanging their heads," Doughney said. "They're walking out of this building every day with their heads held high."

The chief added that the FDLE is continuing with its investigation and he could not comment on it, specifically whether the officers' records from other traffic stops were being checked for other improprieties.
Avon Park resident Rebecca Winkler said Thursday she had not yet heard the news about the arrests.

Winkler recalled a similar incident of police misconduct in her hometown of Flint, Mich., where the chief was fired for taking bribes, thus emphasizing the point that these types of actions are not isolated to any one department or location.

She said the real tragedy of stories like this is the effect it can have on children, who are taught to trust men and women who carry a gun and a badge.

"The police are people that you hold high in authority," Winkler said. "They're supposed to be better than the honest guy."

With this investigation and arrests, trust is something Doughney hopes will be restored.

"Hopefully, this investigation will do more to solidify and bring the community and the department together," he said.

Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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