Post by WaTcHeR on Nov 2, 2006 14:04:44 GMT -5
11.02.2006 - A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office sergeant has been fired for violating agency regulations after he was charged with beating a man who later sued the Sheriff's Office for civil rights violations.
Officer Keith Burns broke his department's policies by committing a felony, neglecting official duties, improperly conducting himself with the public and failing to comply with internal affairs orders, according to an internal affairs report. He was fired Oct. 19.
Burns was charged in April 2004 with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for allegedly beating Michael Mueller following a traffic stop in October 2003. Burns suspected Mueller was driving under the influence of alcohol and had a fictitious driver's license.
Mueller, a former Northwood University student, ran from Burns and later suffered a broken arm and required 27 staples in his head. Burns described in a police report that he had brief contact with Mueller, but Mueller told investigators that Burns struck him about three times before he fell and about 10 more times while on the ground.
Burns, a 13-year veteran, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the battery charge.
"As a road patrol supervisor with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Burns was held to a higher level than those he supervised," the report said.
At the time of Burns' arrest, his attorney, Michael Salnick, said Burns didn't even come close to hitting or harming Mueller.
David Pleasanton, an attorney who represented Burns during the internal affairs investigation, could not be reached for comment Tuesday, despite attempts by phone.
In July 2004, Mueller filed the civil suit, accusing the Sheriff's Office of helping to cover up Burns' actions. The suit also accuses the agency of allowing its deputies to use unnecessary force. Mueller has offered to settle the case for $850,000, attorney Tracy Sharpe said.
Sharpe said the agency conspired to retaliate against Mueller. Four days after Mueller filed an excessive-force complaint in February 2004, he was included in a Department of Corrections sweep targeting gang members and youthful offenders, Sharpe said.
The sweep got help from the Sheriff's Office gang unit, which Burns supervised at the time. The unit visited Mueller's home, but he was not there.
Sharpe praised the Sheriff's Office for firing Burns.
www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pburns01nov01,0,3399030.story?coll=sfla-news-palm
Officer Keith Burns broke his department's policies by committing a felony, neglecting official duties, improperly conducting himself with the public and failing to comply with internal affairs orders, according to an internal affairs report. He was fired Oct. 19.
Burns was charged in April 2004 with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for allegedly beating Michael Mueller following a traffic stop in October 2003. Burns suspected Mueller was driving under the influence of alcohol and had a fictitious driver's license.
Mueller, a former Northwood University student, ran from Burns and later suffered a broken arm and required 27 staples in his head. Burns described in a police report that he had brief contact with Mueller, but Mueller told investigators that Burns struck him about three times before he fell and about 10 more times while on the ground.
Burns, a 13-year veteran, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the battery charge.
"As a road patrol supervisor with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Burns was held to a higher level than those he supervised," the report said.
At the time of Burns' arrest, his attorney, Michael Salnick, said Burns didn't even come close to hitting or harming Mueller.
David Pleasanton, an attorney who represented Burns during the internal affairs investigation, could not be reached for comment Tuesday, despite attempts by phone.
In July 2004, Mueller filed the civil suit, accusing the Sheriff's Office of helping to cover up Burns' actions. The suit also accuses the agency of allowing its deputies to use unnecessary force. Mueller has offered to settle the case for $850,000, attorney Tracy Sharpe said.
Sharpe said the agency conspired to retaliate against Mueller. Four days after Mueller filed an excessive-force complaint in February 2004, he was included in a Department of Corrections sweep targeting gang members and youthful offenders, Sharpe said.
The sweep got help from the Sheriff's Office gang unit, which Burns supervised at the time. The unit visited Mueller's home, but he was not there.
Sharpe praised the Sheriff's Office for firing Burns.
www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pburns01nov01,0,3399030.story?coll=sfla-news-palm