Fort Myers Police Department Major William Newhouse retires amid scrutiny

A high-ranking police official at the center of accusations at the Fort Myers Police Department has retired.

Major William Newhouse retired on Thursday, according to Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets. Streets said he was informed by City Manager Marty Lawing of the decision.

The Fort Myers Police Department released Newhouse’s retirement memo on Thursday afternoon confirming the news.

“The pride I feel having worked closely for decades with our law enforcement professionals is immeasurable,” Newhouse said. “Having spent most of my adult life working for the same organization makes my decision to retire an extremely difficult one, but a decision I have reached after careful consultation with my family.”

Newhouse was accused by the Fort Myers Police Department’s inspector general of ordering a subordinate to mislead city officials about the cost of constructing a new police headquarters at the site of the former News-Press building, at the corner of MLK Boulevard and Fowler Street.

Donald Oswald, the former inspector general, resigned on Friday after he said Fort Myers police Chief Derrick Diggs failed to adequately investigate claims that Newhouse had ordered a lieutenant to keep the rising costs of the new building under wraps. The cost went from about $34 million to between $60 million and $80 million.

Oswald told WINK News Newhouse’s retirement made giving up his own job worth it. He said he feels vindicated.

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