FMPD officer placed on leave after 2017 Freeh Report retires

An officer for the Fort Myers Police Dept. that has been collecting a paycheck since he went on leave over two years ago, has announced his retirement.

Lt. Melvin Perry, who has worked at the FMPD for 30 years, turned in his letter of intent to retire last week. His retirement was on Oct. 9. Deputy Chief Jeffrey Meyers confirmed Perry’s resignation on Wednesday.

Perry was among four officers who were placed on leave a day before FMPD released a report audit on Feb. 22, 2017, by the Freeh Group International Solutions. Within its 72-pages, the Freeh report made a recommendation to have an outside agency investigate potential misconduct within the police department due to corruption – including drug trafficking and murder.

WINK News previously reported that a second officer, Jason Jackson, along with Perry had collected over $360,000 in pay and benefits since being placed on leave over two years ago. While on leave, Perry was demoted from captain to lieutenant.

Two sergeants with the department were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the same investigation, previously retired.

Police Benevelont Association President Matt Sellers said there is no information about why the officers are on leave and under investigation. He said hte PBA is looking at ways to get city hall to release more information.

“The officers reputations have been damaged and I’ll see to it that something is done about that,” Sellers said.

The police department and the city manager’s office would not comment about the situation, stating that there is an ongoing federal investigation.

The United States Attorney’s Office will not comment on the existence of such an investigation or provide any details on when it might conclude.