By ELGIN JONES

FORT LAUDERDALE – A Broward Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on burglary, battery, criminal mischief, and theft charges related to a 2011 road rage incident.

Pletcher, 37, who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2004, has been involved in several controversies during his career. He was on leave with pay over the May 23, 2011, incident, which was investigated by Plantation police, in whose jurisdiction it took place.

His status has now been changed to suspension without pay, BSO Media Relations Director Jim Leljedal said.

Pletcher’s attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, could not be reached for comment.

At the time of the incident, Pletcher was off duty but was armed and driving his patrol vehicle. A female motorist alleged he berated her with profanity and yelled racial slurs at her over a traffic misunderstanding.

The Hispanic woman said Fletcher then pulled her over and continued the insults. When he noticed a passenger in the woman’s truck was recording his actions on a cell phone, he used force to seize the phone and then drove away.

The woman called 911 and when Plantation police arrived she described to them what happened. The phone was discovered broken into pieces and scattered over several blocks.

The phone’s memory was not damaged and the video captured Pletcher’s actions, resulting in his suspension.

*Pictured above is BSO Deputy Paul Pletcher

Comments (3)

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written by Guther, January 31, 2012

This article is sad and shows the above deputy's character he made very poor choices. Please NOTE: This deputy's poor choice's are not of Sheriff Al Lamberti...all the Sheriff can do is write the policy and enforce them and fire those who chose not to follow! Its been proven thats what he's being doing taking out the TRASH! Mr. Jones commoningly sheds light on negative things but nothing positive! Thats very ALARMING! With that said Sheriff Lamberti is doing his JOB! STOP HATING!

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Another day in the life
written by Arthur Conan Doyle, January 31, 2012

This is just another blow for the sheriff. The rudderless schlock ship BSO is now just adrift in a sea of controversy. Thank you Mr. Jones for keeping the public apprised of the seamier side of this corrupt agency.

We can only hope that a new sheriff is elected and cleans house starting from his current ineffective command right on down through the corrupt and integrity less workforce. For the good and decent employee’s my heart goes out to you all, the majority, who have to suffer through this nonstop embarrassment. Thank you to the good and decent employee’s who know what their function is at the BSO.

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written by Rob, January 31, 2012

Once again a police officer obviously guilty of criminal behavior is caught only because someone was videotaping his actions. Is it any wonder that the police try to claim this activity is illegal, even though it is not?

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