Lakeland Police Chief Fires Officer Accused Of DUI And Apologizes

LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland police chief Ruben Garcia has fired one of his officers for suspected driving under the influence and apologized to the community.

"I would personally like to apologize on behalf of the department to the citizens of Lakeland and those of Okaloosa County for the occurrence of this incident," Garcia said Thursday night in a statement.

Officer Chad Landry, a four-year veteran of the Lakeland Police Department, was arrested by the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office early Saturday morning while attending a K-9 training program in Okaloosa County over the weekend.

Agency supervisory personnel were sent to gather further information and collect city property.

Landry was placed on administrative leave while the department launched an administrative investigation.

"The facts of the probable cause arrest have been reviewed and found to support a sustained violation of both Unlawful Conduct and Conduct Unbecoming," Garcia said.

Landry was recently assigned to the K-9 unit, according to Robin Tillett of the agency.

"The members of the Lakeland Police Department must uphold the highest standards of conduct in both their personal and professional life in order to maintain the public trust and confidence of the citizens we serve," Garcia added. "When that trust is breached by a law enforcement officer, we must be held accountable to the highest standards as well."