The head of the Kissimmee Police Department quit because the State Attorney’s Office was worried about what she said in front of a grand jury.
Chief Betty Holland quit, and the Kissimmee Police Department said that the City Manager, Mike Steigerwald, had agreed.
The news statement says that Steigerwald asked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for help and named Major Robert Anzueto as Interim Chief of Police for the week starting October 30.
Steigerwald said, “We fully support the dedicated officers who serve our community with honor.” “But for those who don’t meet our high standards, we will make sure that all allegations are thoroughly and independently reviewed, and we will make the changes in the department that are needed to keep trust.”
The police said that OCSO had also been asked to lead probes into the officers named in the letter from the State Attorney’s Office.
“We understand the problems that the actions of a few people have caused,” Steigerwald said. “However, we are also aware of the many dedicated officers who live by the values of service and honesty, and they should be praised.” We will always be there for them and the neighborhood. We will work together to rebuild trust and make sure that all police officers follow the strictest rules of behavior.
There will likely be more news this week about how the City of Kissimmee plans to move the department forward after two officers were put on paid leave. Eleven officers are said to have doubts about their trustworthiness now.
9 Investigates broke the story that the state attorney’s office told the city of Kissimmee in a letter that some of the police officers were lying. Others said they lied or left out information when they were questioned by the state about a case of police use of force.
In the letter, the police chief was named, and it was said that Chief Betty Holland’s interview did not match up with other written statements.
Channel 9 showed Randy Nelson the letter. Nelson is a police expert who supports and teaches community policing.
After the reading, he told us that the police station in question is not really real.
Body camera footage of officer Andrew Baseggio tasing and kneeing a guy in the face was used in the case.
He was suspended for eight hours, but after Channel 9 showed the story in 2023, the state took it up and asked that it be looked into.
Even though FDLE looked into the case, the state chose to do its own investigation and sent it to a grand jury. The grand jury then charged Baseggio with several crimes, including battery.
Nelson said that the police department needs to make big changes in the long run to gain back the trust of the community. But he also said that something needs to be done right away, like taking officers off the street.
Nelson said, “You have an agency that pretty much has no credibility.” “So you would put everyone on administrative duty? But you have to follow due process, but how would they talk to each other in person?” I’m not sure if I can do that. Anyone named in that report, broken down by state.
A record shows that in June, Detective Jonathan Fernandez said he didn’t know of any conversations between other cops about Officer Baseggio’s use of force. But in July, he told the lawyers he was “lying” in a second interview. Also, Officer Millie Sanchez, get off the streets.
