In a recent display of law enforcement integrity, Ft. Pierce Police Chief, Diane Hobley-Burney, publicly lauded her officers for their refusal to condone misconduct within their ranks. The incident in question saw a fellow officer accused of engaging in excessive force against a handcuffed suspect. In a statement obtained by WPBF, Hobley-Burney expressed her pride in the officers who did not hesitate to stop and report the incident, emphasizing that such behavior was "not acceptable."
The altercation took place on March 26, after a disturbance call led officers to the 1200 block of Avenue L. Officer Jean Valbrun, the officer now under scrutiny, was reportedly headbutted by the suspect during the arrest. Following this, Valbrun disabled his body camera and struck the suspect in the face, while the latter was restrained and seated in the back of a patrol car. "If they see an officer being more aggressive than what they should, or is use an excessive force that they have to intervene and not only intervene, they have to inform a supervisor. This happened," Hobley-Burney noted, reinforcing the gravity of upholding protocol. The chief's words, cited by KRDO, hailed the swift action taken by officers at the scene.
Consequently, Officer Valbrun faced immediate consequences for his actions, having been relieved of duty and resigning amidst the ensuing internal affairs and FDLE investigation. This incident opens yet another chapter in the ongoing discussion about police conduct and the mechanisms in place to address breaches of protocol. The swift action by the Ft. Pierce officers underscores a commitment to accountability and a refusal to silently endorse misdeeds.
Maintaining composure in the face of psychological or physical challenge is a core expectation for law enforcement personnel, Chief Hobley-Burney reminded her force, and the public. She added, "And this is what our officers face every single day. And we have to take out the emotional part and make it business. But they do, have a number of emotions and feelings that they go through, and I'm so very proud of them," as detailed by KRDO. This commitment to discipline, and the emotional rigor it demands, was underscored in her blanket refusal to release details about the suspect, including any pertaining to their current incarceration status, or the nature of their injuries.
