TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

AP Police Chief Commended For Quick Response

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: January 11, 2009

AVON PARK - Patricia Austin, president of the Avon Park chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), thanked Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney at Monday's meeting for his quick response to allegations of Hispanic residents being mistreated by two Avon Park police officers.

"I commend Chief Doughney and the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) on a job well done and, most of all, being there for our community," Austin said in her notes from the meeting.

Doughney, who attends all LULAC meetings, assured the chapter that misconduct would not be tolerated in the department if it were true, according to Austin.

"He investigated immediately, as well as the FDLE," she said. "This is the kind of law enforcement we need. They have proven they are here for us."

Two officers, Adam Wayne Willis, 31, and Alberto Perez, 33, were both arrested in the span of two weeks starting Nov. 19 on charges of police misconduct.

Willis is charged with armed burglary of a structure or conveyance and grand theft over $300. Perez is charged with one count of extortion or threats. Both are scheduled for a pretrial conference Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT