What happened: A newly obtained internal affairs report is raising broader questions about how the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) documented and investigated potential misconduct under previous leadership.
Background: The report cleared Sgt. Ryan Patterson of the allegations under review.
But while examining those claims, internal affairs revisited two earlier concerns—one involving overtime and another involving a homicide investigation—that the report says should have prompted formal investigations years ago. Neither was formally investigated at the time.
By the time internal affairs reviewed the concerns, the report says the deadline for disciplinary action had expired. News obtained the 17-page report after an anonymous source questioned how the department handled concerns involving Patterson.
The city confirmed Patterson works on Mayor Keith James’ Executive Protection Unit. The internal affairs case opened in December 2025 after a retired police captain raised allegations involving Patterson’s overtime, the GPS system in his marked vehicle and his work on a 2015 homicide.
Investigators later examined whether Patterson violated an order not to discuss the open case after contacting a witness.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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