Pubdate: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International ``OFFICER OF THE YEAR'' FACING DRUG CHARGES TAMPA, Fla. - The FBI has arrested a Lakeland police officer on charges of possessing and dealing cocaine over the past two years. 31-year-old William Alonzo Banks Jr. - who was once named the Lakeland Police Department's officer of the year - faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Federal agents say they arrested Banks after speaking with four confidential informants and recording several of the officer's conversations. The agents say they found envelopes of the type used to package drugs in Banks' squad car and a straw with cocaine residue in his personal vehicle. Banks reportedly has admitted that he began buying and selling cocaine in 1997 because he was having financial troubles. Banks has been released on $50,000 bail and suspended from his job with pay. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea