A former Polk County traffic enforcement deputy is in the spotlight for resigning after his arrest for stealing cash from a driver during a traffic stop. The deputy, identified as 28-year-old Justin Register, was reported by two colleagues for his actions near Fort Meade.
After the driver, arrested for not having a valid driver's license, reported missing money from his wallet, Register presented a wad of cash claiming it was found in the patrol vehicle's trunk. However, his colleagues who witnessed the incident, Deputies Joseph Leon and Vito Mineo, had seen Register earlier place the driver’s belongings in his patrol car, and later they saw him take money out of the wallet, WFLA reported.
Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his thoughts on the matter: "I am disgusted by Justin Register’s dishonest behavior. We are going to hold him accountable for his disgraceful actions, and he should never be trusted to work in law enforcement again," he said, lauding the integrity of the two deputies who reported the theft, FOX 13 News informed.
As Register resigned yesterday, he would have faced termination from his position, which he had held since May 2018. Consequently, the PCSO is now scrutinizing all past arrests and traffic stops conducted by Register, alongside an ongoing collaboration with the State Attorney's Office to review current cases involving him, indicating a comprehensive audit, WTSP detailed.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with concerns about Register's conduct during previous investigations to reach out to their administrative investigation section at 863-298-6506. The call follows the violation of trust and due process that has cast a shadow on the department, necessitating a rigorous examination to restore community confidence.
