CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A Clay County deputy was arrested on charges of filing a false police report and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, Sheriff Michelle Cook announced on Facebook Monday.
Deputy Tyler North was arrested and fired from the Clay County Sheriff's Office on Monday, Cook said in a video posted to Facebook.
The crash occurred Sept. 17 on Blanding Boulevard near the intersection of Blairmore when North was on duty and driving his agency-issued vehicle. He was at fault in the crash, the sheriff's office said.
Cook said North rear-ended a vehicle and briefly spoke to the victim, but did not file any reports of the crash or notify his supervisor.
North then filed a report and made false statements regarding the damage to his vehicle, Cook said.
"I was extremely disappointed for one of our deputies to do something like this and to try to lie their way out of this situation is disheartening and disappointing," Cook said. "I want to ensure our community, that his actions do not reflect who we are as an agency."
North's arrest comes after an investigation by the sheriff's office's Integrity Unit. He was on administrative leave and had his duties revoked pending the outcome of the investigation.
North was hired by the Clay County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 7, 2023, and had no prior disciplinary history.
"No matter who you are if you break the law, we're gonna hold you accountable," Cook said. "We hold our team to the highest standards and the public trusts us to do the right thing. Deputy North violated that trust."
North's arrest marks the third arrest of a Clay County deputy this year and the second by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
