Prosecutors are reviewing Kissimmee’s previous internal investigations into 15 officers
The District Attorney’s Office is now investigating internal investigations of the Kissimmee Police Department involving 15 officers. Eleven of these officers were investigated by the KPD for excessive or unnecessary force.
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According to a letter that former Chief Betty Holland sent to State’s Attorney Andrew Bain weeks before her resignation, the KPD conducted an audit of previous internal affairs investigations and discovered several cases that had never been reported to the prosecutor’s office. In all cases, officers were found to have violated policy.
The cases span three police administrations – from 2015 to 2023.
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Jeff Lotter, a former officer who is now a criminal defense attorney, said it’s concerning that the cases have gone on for years without being reported to prosecutors.
“So there is no internal oversight through the prosecutor’s office or through the FDLE… Then we are in trouble because these police clearly demonstrate a systematic failure to identify multiple instances of unlawful use of force. That’s not just a mistake. That is a problem,” said Lotter.
This is the latest development in the wake of KPD. It stems from a case reported by 9 Investigates in 2023, in which Officer Andrew Bossegio kneed a man in the face and was given only a day off as punishment. The incident was captured by a body-worn camera.
Read: 2 Kissimmee police officers have been relieved of duty following a WFTV report
Last month, a grand jury indicted Baseggio on six charges, including felonies, two counts of tampering with a witness, official misconduct, solicitation of perjury and misdemeanor assault. Prosecutors also raised concerns about the truthfulness and conduct of 11 officers, including Chief Betty Holland. She resigned after the Public Prosecution Service made the announcement.
A grand jury also found a “culture of silence” and “cover-up” within the ranks of the KPD.
These fifteen other officers join the eleven officers involved in the Andrew Bessegio use of force controversy that caused the fallout.
A total of 26 officers may now be involved.
Read: Kissimmee police chief resigns, interim chief named over concerns during grand jury investigation
KPD tells 9 Investigates that this audit of previous internal affairs investigations was proactively conducted before the city received the grand jury presentation.
“The department recognized that there was a failure to report, as evidenced by the grand jury findings, and the letter helped correct the incidents that were not reported. We remain committed to transparency and accountability in all our operations,” the Kissimmee Police Department statement read.
Kissimmee police say after Holland sent the letter to Bain; the department notified the FDLE of the prior cases for review.
Lotter says it is critical that these cases of excessive force are reported to prosecutors, in part because the actions could potentially lead to criminal charges.
“It only makes sense that if we say the use of force was unjustified, that’s probably battery. Let’s send it to the prosecutor’s office to see if they want to pursue criminal charges,” Lotter said.
In addition, law enforcement agencies must self-report cases of excessive force to the Attorney General’s Office so that prosecutors can determine whether officers in question should be added to the Bradys’ list. It’s a list of officers accused of misconduct.
The state has a constitutional obligation to inform suspects of an officer’s background if that officer is testifying.
“And if a police officer has shown questionable conduct in his past regarding other arrests, that information now becomes investigative material because it calls into question the integrity or at least professionalism of that officer,” Lotter said.
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