Officer of the Year indicted on drug charges

From www.sun-sentinel.com (http://www.sun-sentinel.com)


The Boynton Beach Police department's 'Officer of the Year' for 2010 was indicted on Tuesday for conspiring to possess and traffic 500 grams of methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer.

The indictment accuses David Britto, 28, of drug dealing from June 2009 until March 4, 2011. Britto faces a potential life sentence if convicted, prosecutors said.

Police Chief G. Matthew Immler released a statement saying, in part, "the Boynton Beach Police Department vigorously polices itself, and this case is an example of how law enforcement roots out corruption from within its own ranks."

Officer Britto was named 'Officer of the Year' in January for, among other things, helping to identify a man suspected of shooting two street preachers and for performing CPR on a 2-year-old girl who almost drowned in her family's swimming pool in November.
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"I saw the little baby on the ground and started praying," Britto said, recounting the life-saving effort at a December reunion with Elionore Dieujuste and her daughter, Vitalice, who made a full recovery.

Britto said at the beginning of last year, he took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote down that on every call he wanted to make a difference in someone's life.

"It is nice to be recognized when you have really tried your best," he said upon receiving the 'Officer of the Year' honor. "This only motivates me to keep doing what I'm doing and reach my goals."

In 2010, Britto also worked 11 burglaries resulting in 19 arrests and 18 narcotic cases leading to 25 arrests, records show.

In 2008, Britto was one of three Boynton Beach police officers who fired 23 shots into a stolen Dodge Caravan as the vehicle's driver tried to run them down, investigators said.

None of the officers or the seven suspects in the van was injured, according to the police report.

Britto has been a Boynton Beach police officer since September 2006, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database.

He was caught in a Drug Enforcement Administration led Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation.

"The decision to deal drugs while carrying a badge is not only a breach of the law enforcement oath, but a community tragedy as well," DEA Mark R. Trouville,Miami Special Agent in Charge said in a statement.

Chief Immler echoed that sentiment in his statement.

"We realize that when an officer stands accused of a violation of the public trust, all of law enforcement pays the price in eroded citizen confidence and the perception of diminished integrity," Immler said.

How can the chief say they vigorously police themeself when this has been going on for what looks like 2 years and he is only now taking action. Looks more like the DEA is policing them and the chief is peddling fast to catch up after being caught with his pants down. Looks like Britto had everyone fooled, to the point he got officer of the year lol

Anything come out yet about the two cops who lied on the probable cause affidavit about missing a gun hidden on a suspect and then finding it in booking. Or about the the group that illegally entered a motel room for a search. Or even about the cops that forced their way into a home to force information out of the friend of a suspect so they could get the suspects current location. Seems like Britto is just the tip of a lot of officers at that department making really bone headed decisions.

[king526]

Dave was a good friend to many and is accused of an unthinkable crime for a COP. In this case - "quoting the source" - we should all save our opinions for the final outcome of the case.

Oh come on King, with both know the feds don't take charges like this unless they have it locked up normally (ie. video / audio). It is sad and this doesnt take away from the good he has done, and he has done a lot of good. Only thing you can to say to something like this is that it is what it is. People make bad decisions, doesnt mean they are bad people. I think that applies here.

Hes a criminal and belongs in Jail not enforcing the law !

Immler must go!!!

Come on guys - don't hide behind a Guest username - If your gonna make a neg comment that you know nothing about, at least be a real person and have enough nut to post your name. I wouldn't make a comment about something I knew nothing about - that's why I said what said. Unless you know the whole truth about something - STFU. Stop being one of those COPs that can't wait to spread a rumor about someone or gaggle like a chicken with your head off. Have a Nut and be true to your profession - don't hang a fellow officer if you dont have the truth about something. A video, a tape recording - come on guys - lets get real - It's not disney world - your talking about a fellow brothers life! I know cops that would die for eachother - your comments shovel dirt on a guys grave because you read something in a news paper - yeah - they never lie or get the stories mixed up - duh! Put your money where your mouth is - so all can read who we can count on - and who we know will testify against his own - Coward!

This guy is a criminal and does not deserve his badge or freedom. He took an oath for a higher calling and abused it. The feds dont make micky mouse arrests so Im happy hes going to be judged before he judges anybody else.

Ok Kang. Now he is a federal fugitive, think you might be rethinking a portion of your previous post??

No change in my position- given the situation that the Federal System is soooo diferent than the State system that most cops are used to - and knowing that of all cases brought to court 80+ % are found guilty (even if they are innocent) and faced with a possible plea bargain of 5-15 years (that's a plea deal) what would you do?
COPS don't fair well in jail. Oh - you may be large and in charge in the street - but your not in the streets any more. Your behind bars with some serious characters.
Ok - let's say you are guilty - how long do you expect to survive in Jail?
Let's say your innocent - do you fight for your freedom knowing that if you fail at your attempt you will face in excess of 5-15 years incarcerated?
What would you do?
Many cops before you faced this delemina - guilty or not - many of them have eaten a bullet. Now - your a military kid trained to survive at all costs and your a Christian who believes that taking your own life is a mortal sin. Not one of those - I am a Christian because I go to church - I mean a real practicing Christian who walks the walk. What would you do?
I don't know many any of us that would do anything other than what he did!

PS and being a real cop - you should know better than to judge your breathern without knowing all the facts. And news flash - the facts aren't what the papers say - but you will find this out after being a REAL COP for a little while - rook!

Dave Britto did do good work as an officer and as a citizen. Without all the facts no one can accurately address who he is or anything he did. We do however know that taking flight is not a good idea or an acceptable response in any legal situation. I too wish him.the best but the reality is he has compounded his issues with his actions to flee.

This clown is nothing more than a swap shop Rambo.

Dave Britto did do good work as an officer and as a citizen. Without all the facts no one can accurately address who he is or anything he did. We do however know that taking flight is not a good idea or an acceptable response in any legal situation. I too wish him.the best but the reality is he has compounded his issues with his actions to flee.

If he did nothing wrong, why would he cut off his monitor and flee the area??

Dave Britto did do good work as an officer and as a citizen. Without all the facts no one can accurately address who he is or anything he did. We do however know that taking flight is not a good idea or an acceptable response in any legal situation. I too wish him.the best but the reality is he has compounded his issues with his actions to flee.

If he did nothing wrong, why would he cut off his monitor and flee the area??

He is innocent. He is searching for the real culprit: The one-armed man.

and knowing that of all cases brought to court 80+ % are found guilty (even if they are innocent)

Really ??? That statement is not true. You need to get a grip.

When all the facts of this case are known - if ever - this whole thing will smell!
Mistakes were made on many fronts to include Britto's part himself, to time delays for reporting the absconding and sloppy surveillance used to follow his family around after Britto was already confirmed to have left the country. It almost seems like - this thing was scripted to play out in the manner in which it did. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script. Are we all part of a great theatrical experience? Is this some game to get cops and Feds to fight amongst themselves? Sure seems that way!
Whatever happens - thanks to those involved for keeping us entertained!
Thank God, Bin Laden was caught and Britto has taken his place as Public enemy #1. That story line was getting boring! This one is much more interesting!

When all the facts of this case are known - if ever - this whole thing will smell!
Mistakes were made on many fronts to include Britto's part himself, to time delays for reporting the absconding and sloppy surveillance used to follow his family around after Britto was already confirmed to have left the country. It almost seems like - this thing was scripted to play out in the manner in which it did. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script. Are we all part of a great theatrical experience? Is this some game to get cops and Feds to fight amongst themselves? Sure seems that way!
Whatever happens - thanks to those involved for keeping us entertained!
Thank God, Bin Laden was caught and Britto has taken his place as Public enemy #1. That story line was getting boring! This one is much more interesting!

They finally fired that sack-of-shit? I bet he lets his mommy rot in jail. He's a real man. Go ahead, bootlick, and defend his fugitive status.

Come on guys - don't hide behind a Guest username - If your gonna make a neg comment that you know nothing about, at least be a real person and have enough nut to post your name. I wouldn't make a comment about something I knew nothing about - that's why I said what said. Unless you know the whole truth about something - STFU. Stop being one of those COPs that can't wait to spread a rumor about someone or gaggle like a chicken with your head off. Have a Nut and be true to your profession - don't hang a fellow officer if you dont have the truth about something. A video, a tape recording - come on guys - lets get real - It's not disney world - your talking about a fellow brothers life! I know cops that would die for eachother - your comments shovel dirt on a guys grave because you read something in a news paper - yeah - they never lie or get the stories mixed up - duh! Put your money where your mouth is - so all can read who we can count on - and who we know will testify against his own - Coward!

Kang you are not one to talk. Between you and lillie you bad mouthed enough people behind their backs, about which offers you two didn't like and which ones you adored. Cut the holier than thou crap please, i don't want to throw up on my key board. You retired, enjoy it. As far as my opinion goes unfortunately the door didn't hit you on the way out. Now if we could only get Briganti to leaveas well we would be doing great. Failing that, maybe we could get him to play golf every work day instead of just fridays so he could stay away from the station and supervise and do his job even less.

You know who I am and you know where I am - if you want a piece of me - come and get it! Otherwise - shut your pie hole. The officers who worked for me - worked - not lounged around and ran from coffee shop to coffee shop. Yeah I had people that I watched out for - that's what cops do - they watch out for eachother! But it sounds like you know nothing about that. I can't help that some of them had histories before they got here - no one in the dept knew that. I do know the good job this guy did when he worked for me. As for you - rook - ask the front desk for my # if you don't have it - anytime, anywhere! You know me from work - where I had a job to do - but outside there - I am bound by no more departmental rules - like kicking your butt -come and get it! Better yet - give me a call - I'll come to you!