By Helen Eckinger
Orlando Sentinel
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — A Fruitland Park police officer resigned last month after allegations surfaced that he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan.
James Elkins, 28, resigned on January 20 after the police department launched an internal investigation after receiving information that Elkins was distributing fliers promoting the KKK in Sumter County, according to Fruitland Park Police Chief Mark Isom.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also received photos earlier this week that appear to show Elkins dressed in KKK gowns and hoods. Isom confirmed that a man wearing a green hood and robe in one picture and a police officer’s uniform, white robe and hood in another is Elkins.
Elkins denied that he was involved in the KKK and said that a Sumter County post office box that he was allegedly using to send and receive KKK literature was actually being used by a friend. But, the post office told investigators that Elkins was the only person who had used the box, and that he had received mail from a national KKK organization there.
“When he found out we were investigating at the post office, he resigned,” Isom said.
In his resignation, Elkins made no mention of his alleged involvement in the KKK or the internal investigation against him, Isom said.
Elkins has worked off and on for the Fruitland Park Police Department for four years. For the last year, he has been on leave and receiving workers compensation after he was in a car wreck while on duty. Isom recently placed him on reserve in order to fill his position. Elkins told Isom that his involvement with the KKK occurred while he was on leave.
“At no time was he dealing with the public while he was involved [with the KKK],” Isom said.
The police department has reviewed the traffic citations Elkins issued while he was an officer and did not find any indications that he was racially profiling motorists, Isom said.
Isom said that no other Fruitland Park officers were involved in the KKK with Elkins.
“I can guarantee you that none of my police officers who work here are members of the KKK,” Isom said.
Copyright 2009 Orlando Sentinel