Lantana town manager fires suspended police chief Jeff Tyson in wake of DUI arrest

LANTANA -  The town of Lantana has fired police chief Jeffrey Tyson.

Boca Raton police arrested Tyson Wednesday after the chief was suspected of hitting a deputy in an unmarked Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office vehicle and leaving the scene.

The deputy pulled Tyson over several blocks later.

Boca Raton police arrived and arrested Tyson for leaving the scene of a crash and suspicion of DUI.

According to a police report, the chief was tested on an Intoxilyzer breath testing device and provided samples of .229 and .234.

In a letter to Tyson, Lantana Town Manager Michael Bornstein outlined several personnel policy violations he felt that the chief violated.

They included: Conduct unbecoming a town employee, carelessness or negligence is using town property, and off-duty abuse of alcohol.

The town manager said Tyson's termination was effective immediately.
 
Tyson is currently out of jail on his own recognizance.