A former Miami-Dade police officer was arrested earlier this week in Volusia County after he was accused of impersonating a cop.
On Monday, September 22, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an address on shepherd Avenue in Deltona after receiving reports that a man was “parked in a driveway [and] looking for a missing girl,” according to VCSO.
Deputies spotted the vehicle and made contact with its driver and sole occupant, identified as 39-year-old Paul Nicholas Fluty.
While speaking with deputies, Fluty identified himself as a Miami-Dade police officer and indicated that he was working with the U.S. Marshals. He also displayed a badge and a photo of his law enforcement credentials.
Fluty claimed that he was looking for a girl who had not been officially reported as missing. He added that he was in the process of tracking the girl using her cellphone location, according to VCSO.
The sheriff’s office launched an investigation into the incident, which revealed that Fluty had been terminated from his job with the Miami-Dade Police Department earlier this year and was not a member of any federal task force.
On Monday night, deputies made contact with Fluty and detained him in handcuffs. During an interview, Fluty claimed that he had made a “mistake” when he provided his badge and credentials “out of habit.” He further stated that he “accidentally” claimed to be a police officer, according to VCSO.
In a social media post, VCSO stated that information gathered during the investigation “suggests (Ford) is actually a private investigator who may have been in the area for an insurance investigation.”
Ford was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail. He was released the following day after posting bond, and he is being charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer.