VOLUSIA EXPOSED

VOLUSIA EXPOSED.COM

Did the City of Wilton Manors act appropriately regarding former Police Chief Perez's resignation?

Did Former Police Chief Perez get special treatment from the city and FDLE, due to his past assignment as an FDLE / CJSTC Commissioner?

Were Florida laws violated?

Updated
November 14, 2011

"Beware the fury of a patient man"- Poet, John Dryden

This page has been updated due to recently received public records

VolusiaExposed.Com has developed some concerns as to whether the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC - FDLE) plays politics with the established officer disciplinary procedures of the State of Florida.

In 2010, Richard Perez, the police Chief of Wilton Manors, Florida found himself accused of some serious allegations (three separate incidents). Please read the below media accounts of these allegations.

Former Chief Perez had been a member of the CJSTC - but was removed by Governor Crist, due to some of the above allegations.

VolusiaExposed.Com believes that former Chief Perez's misconduct, was mandated by Florida law, to be reported to the CJSTC for possible disciplinary action against his Florida State police officer certification. We invite our readers to review the moral character standards of the CJSTC (FAC 11B-27.0011)

VolusiaExposed.Com requested former Chief Perez's FDLE / CJSTC officer profile sheet. It appears to state, that Chief Perez's departure from the Wilton Manors PD, was WITHOUT misconduct. How can that be? Didn't Perez resign while under investigation? - Is that, not in of itself, a mandated reportable event to the CJSTC? We invite you to review former Chief Perez's CJSTC 61 form - note that the CJSTC indicates his departure was with misconduct. Further, note that there is a section on the form that must be checked, as misconduct, if Perez left while under investigation. Why wasn't it indicated on this form that he left while be investigated?

VolusiaExposed.Com has requested public records from the City of Wilton Manors. We shall investigate whether the evidence suggest that Wilton Manors failed to comply with Florida law, in reporting sustained misconduct against their former police chief.

Once we review the requested records from the City of Wilton Manors, if appropriate, we shall request that the CJSTC / FDLE investigate our concerns. Until then, we await the City of Wilton Manors' compliance with the Florida public records law. (F.S. Chapter 119)

However, the above email scandal was not the reason for Perez's resignation. He was being accused, by city officals, of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It would appear that Perez, and others, received unauthorized compensation. Would this fit the definition of, what is also commonly referred to as, fraud? VolusiaExposed.Com requested, but did not receive, a copy of any internal affairs investigation done on FLSA allegations.

Doesn't Florida Statute 943.1395(5) require that the WMPD / City of Wilton Manors, investigate their charges, regardless of any separation agreement the parties came to?

943.1395 (5)-The employing agency must conduct an internal investigation if it has cause to suspect that an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7). If an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7), the employing agency must submit the investigative findings and supporting information and documentation to the commission in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The commission may inspect and copy an employing agency's records to ensure compliance with this subsection.

VolusiaExposed.Com has sent the below email to Criminal Justice Training and Standards (CJSTC) Director Mike Crews, asking him to review our concerns. We will publish any response we receive.

Click Here for Director Crews email address

Recently, Mr. Perez applied to be the new police chief for Venice, Florida.

We wonder if the Venice residents (and other cities) are aware of former Chief Perez's checkered past?