The Broward State Attorney's Office launched an investigation last month into how officials in Sunrise handled a traffic stop.
"The State Attorney's Office has begun looking into whether Sunrise Police Chief John Brooks and/or other police and city officials interfered with a Sunrise policeman's traffic stop last July involving a driver suspected of DUI," wrote Ron Ishoy, spokesman for State Attorney Mike Satz, in an email. "The investigation is based on an anonymous letter delivered to our office containing specific information about the traffic incident. The State Attorney's Office has notified defense attorneys that Chief Brooks is the subject of the SAO investigation."
The letter, and other details, were not available.
Brooks has retained defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich to represent him personally. No one has been charged.
"We are fully cooperating with the investigation," said Schwartzreich, who said the chief did nothing wrong. "Our focus is to ensure the integrity of the chief, command staff and any officers remains intact."
Schwartzreich speculates that the letter is retaliation for efforts the chief enacted to increase accountability, and disciplinary actions he has taken, within the department.
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