A veteran Broward Sheriff's deputy threatened to feed a resident to the alligators and "beat the piss" out of him, according to an internal affairs report released to the Sun Sentinel.
Weston Deputy Alan Dubinski received a written reprimand for threatening resident Jessie Merchant and screaming profanities at him. Dubinski was suspended with pay July 26 and returned to full duty Nov. 14.
In his 22-year career with BSO, Dubinski has been investigated 20 times and received eight disciplinary actions, including counseling and a written reprimand. He was accused of being absent from work without leave, of being disrespectful to residents and improperly searching a prisoner.
Dubinski declined to be interviewed by the Sun Sentinel.
In July, Dubinski responded to a call about Merchant running in and out of traffic, according to the report. When Dubinski arrived, two Florida Highway Patrol troopers were speaking with Merchant.
The report says Dubinski told the troopers he was familiar with Merchant and that "he has had numerous contacts with Merchant in the past [including] a Baker Act, issued him trespass warnings, and several disturbances throughout the neighborhood."
Then Dubinski allegedly began yelling at Merchant saying, "Your f---ing ass is going home or I'm going to beat the f---ing piss out of you. I see your f---ing ass again tonight I'm going to f---ing split your f---ing skull (unintelligible) with my flashlight."
Later, Dubinski told Merchant, "I'm going to feed you to the f---ing 'gators," according to the report.
Merchant said that he was scared and that Dubinski "did not physically touch him but just continued to scream at him to go home," according to the report.
The approximately 11-minute interaction was captured on the troopers' car video.
The professional standards committee determined that Dubinski violated BSO's policy by conducting himself in an unprofessional manner that reflected poorly upon himself and BSO.
Capt. Robert Wargin, the former director of internal affairs for BSO, said the committee that recommends disciplinary action evaluates an employee's history of policy violations before recommending a punishment.
"A 22-year employee with a couple pages of charges you have to question where he works, and if he's had any other intervention done," said Wargin. He said it's common for a veteran employee to have a couple of policy violations.
Sgt. Holly Greene, who conducted the investigation, asked Dubinski if his conduct was professional, Dubinski said, "In the eyes of the public, it's probably not, but
every situation is different, sometimes you have to be harsh with some people to get your point across."
