Police union levels charges against Hallandale Beach police chief

HALLANDALE BEACH — Police union officials have leveled charges, admittedly undocumented, against Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy, accusing him of a bar fight, drunken driving and domestic violence.

City Hall will seek a review of the accusations listed in a letter from the attorney for the Police Benevolent Association.

“We will be looking into the allegations,” City Manager Renee Miller told the Sun Sentinel late Friday. The investigation would likely be handled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, she said.

Flournoy, who was named chief in 2011 after 24 years with the department, declined to comment. He referred questions to his attorney, Mark London.

“These claims are a gross misrepresentation of Chief Flournoy’s character and the facts and are nothing more than allegations made to pursue a personal agenda,” London said. “As counsel for Chief Flournoy, we will be reviewing all legal remedies available to him.”

In a letter to city commissioners Monday, union attorney Tony Alfero accused Flournoy of several transgressions, including a fight at the Cigar Bar in Pembroke Pines, a DUI stop in Miramar and a domestic violence incident in 2010.

None of the alleged incidents led to criminal charges or an arrest, and Alfero said Friday he was try- ing to get more details to back up his claims. “I’m trying to get documentation,” he said.

Alfero said he learned of the allegations through police officer chit-chat. “I was told [about the alleged incidents] by people in the law enforcement community,” he said. “When you’re chief of police, word gets around.”

Mayor Joy Cooper said she will stand by the Flournoy until the union produces documentation to prove its claims.

“These are serious allegations, but they need to be substantiated by the individual making them,” Cooper said. “We welcome FDLE to come in and investigate and confirm or eliminate these allegations. I have not seen any conduct or proof of one can say anyone.”

In an email to the commission Thursday, the city manager said she was “both concerned and skeptical” of the claims. “However, it is prudent in these times that an investigation into the matter be conducted,” she wrote.

Miller said she has contacted FDLE to determine which agency might handle the investigation.

“The allegations were very vague,” she said. “I nor FDLE can ascertain yet whether they have a basis [for an investigation]. I can’t even do an administrative level investigation based on what was provided.”

On Friday, Miller sent the union attorney a two-page letter asking for any and all anything. Anyanything about documentation —including dates, times and locations — to back up his claims. She gave Alfero a deadline of May 15 to provide the information to Troy Walker, a special agent with FDLE based in Miami.

A woman requested a temporary restraining order against Flournoy in June 2010, court records show. The request was dismissed when the woman failed to appear at a court hearing.

The city manager could not say whether Flournoy would remain at the department’s helm while the investigation is under way.

“I have no idea,” Miller said. “It’s so preliminary.” Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.