Controversial officer becomes Lee County deputy

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Trevor Lehman, pictured on the left, is sworn in as a Lee County deputy

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The former Fort Myers police officer depicted on camera in two controversial and violent confrontations was sworn in as a Lee County deputy Wednesday.

Trevor Lehman was fired from the Fort Myers Police Department in July 2013 after being accused of using excessive force during a February 2001 traffic stop. He garnered a lot of support from community members wishing for his reinstatement despite dashcam video showing Lehman slamming a man into a car and knocking him in the face with a closed fist.

Other video from July 2015 showed Lehman pushing a man to the ground at Dixie Roadhouse in Cape Coral. Lehman said the man he allegedly assaulted was harassing his girlfriend, according to reports. He was not charged for that incident but resigned that same month from the officer position he had re-obtained when an arbitrator reversed his termination in 2014.

Lehman cited personal reasons for his resignation. In his letter of resignation, Lehman wrote “due to my former unjust termination and subsequent reinstatement, my life at this agency and outside this agency has not been the same. Financially, professionally and emotionally my well-being has suffered.”

He appeared solemn in a gray suit and patterned tie as he was sworn in as a county deputy Tuesday.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Lehman’s future duties have not been decided.

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