Brooksville Police captain charged with battery

BROOKSVILLE – Brooksville Police Capt. Rick Hankins has been charged with battery, according to Assistant State Attorney Mark Simpson.

Simpson confirmed Monday the misdemeanor battery charge had been filed by the State Attorney’s Office.

Hankins was involved in an altercation at a Christmas party on Forest Wood Court in Spring Hill, according to the sheriff’s office.

The alleged victim, Fred Taclik, told investigators he was “sucker punched” in the head by Hankins after Hankins confronted him about Taclik’s brother dating his wife 15 years ago, deputies said. An investigative report shows multiple witnesses said they saw Hankins hit Taclik.

Hankins turned himself in at the Sumter County Detention Center on Jan. 3 and was released on $500 bail.

Records show Hankins was hired by the Brooksville Police Department in April 1997, and makes $64,209.60 annually.