FMPD officers on paid administrative leave identified

FORT MYERS, Fla. Five Fort Myers police officers were placed on administrative leave, according to two sources.

Sergeants Rick Natard and Michael Forces, Capt. Duke Perry, as well as Officer Jason Jackson, were put on paid leave Tuesday, one day before a scathing audit detailing years of inadequate resources, cronyism and lack of integrity within the department.

The department also placed Sgt. Eric Gutridge on leave two weeks ago.

It’s unclear whether their status is linked to the audit.

Two outside agencies are handling two investigations at the police department, an official source said.