Resident urges review after Key West park search; board exonerates officers but flags parking

Leon Moyer told the Key West Citizens Review Board that he filed a complaint after watching officers search a man's backpack near the Willie Ward Park swimming pool and said the officers parked in handicapped spaces while doing so. "They were fishing," Moyer said, describing the search and the subject's claim that officers told him he would be arrested if he did not give permission.

Board members and staff said they reviewed bodycam footage before the meeting and discussed whether the subject had given consent. Chair Rick said the simplest test for a lawful on-scene search was permission: "The very easiest way to get a lawful search is to get permission, and they were granted permission by Mr. Langford," he said, noting the board must base its decision on the evidence presented.

Lieutenant Jeffrey Dean, whose memo and attached photographs are in the board packet, confirmed the video shows the person Moyer named, Benjamin Langsford, gave permission to be searched: "It was shown that she did attack him first," Dean said about an earlier related incident, and he later affirmed the department's review. Dean also told the board the two officers involved were "verbally counseled" for parking in handicap spaces; the complaint remains on file.

After discussion about the constitutional concern Moyer raised, the board voted to list the complaint disposition as exonerated for the search, while noting parking in handicapped spaces was inappropriate and outside the board's authority to issue citations. Chair Rick told Moyer the board cannot issue tickets but can recommend administrative or disciplinary follow-up to the police department. "We still have to make a determination and I don't think we have a decision yet," the chair said before the vote; following the motion and second, members voted in favor with no opposition.

The board advised Moyer how to pursue bodycam footage through a public-records request if he wants to review the video directly. The board also urged members of the public to attend or appear by Zoom when filing complaints so the board can ask clarifying questions and fully consider allegations.