Seasoned investigator added to Palm Beach County Ethics Commission staff

The Commission on Ethics has announced the hiring of staff investigator Mark Bannon to oversee ethics complaints and investigations.

A U.S. Army veteran, Bannon spent 25 years serving as a deputy sheriff, supervisor and commander with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office where he worked in patrol, investigative and community support positions, before retiring from policing in 2005.

He is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Nova Southeastern University. Bannon attended law school at the University of Miami and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005. He is also a former assistant state attorney who prosecuted criminal cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit before entering private law practice.

Bannon is the author of a book on criminal procedure for law enforcement officers, which was published in 2003, and he has taught criminal justice courses to both police officers and undergraduate students.

Upon being selected as staff investigator, Bannon stated, “I have spent the better part of the last 30 years serving the community as a law enforcement officer and a criminal prosecutor. It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to continue that service with the Commission on Ethics.”

“Mark brings an incredible background and breadth of knowledge as both an investigator and attorney,” said Alan Johnson, executive director of the Commission on Ethics. “We are proud and pleased to have him on board.”

The staff investigator for the Ethics Commission, who has completed DCJS private investigation training courses, is responsible for actively investigating all legally sufficient county ethics complaints received by the commission from citizens by partnering with an assisting private investigations firm, as well as self-initiated investigations by the commission based on reliable sources of information within the community.

The Commission on Ethics hotline is (877) 766-5920. www.palmbeachcountyethics.com