Chief Betty Holland of the Kissimmee Police Department has resigned following concerns raised by the State Attorney’s Office regarding her testimony in a grand jury proceeding. City Manager Mike Steigerwald accepted her resignation and has appointed Major Robert Anzueto to step in as the Interim Chief of Police effective October 30. Steigerwald emphasized the city’s commitment to maintaining high standards and integrity within the police force, and indicated that necessary changes would be made following a thorough and independent review of all allegations. This resignation and subsequent leadership change come as the police department faces scrutiny over the conduct of several officers.
The seriousness of the situation was underscored by the fact that two officers were placed on administrative leave, and a total of 11 officers are now under review for issues concerning their credibility. The concerns stemmed from a letter sent by the State Attorney’s Office to the city, which alleged untruthfulness among several officers during investigations, particularly regarding a specific use of force case. This acknowledgment of potential misconduct is a significant blow to the department’s reputation and calls into question the integrity of the investigations conducted by its officers.
Central to the controversy is Officer Andrew Baseggio, who was seen on body camera footage using excessive force, including kneeing a suspect in the face and deploying a Taser. Although he received a minor suspension, the case escalated after Channel 9 reported on it, prompting state-level intervention and an investigation that led to an indictment on multiple charges, including battery. Randy Nelson, a law enforcement expert, commented on the gravity of the situation, asserting that the credibility of the entire police department is in doubt, and that there is an urgent need for significant reform to rebuild community trust.
Further complicating matters, Detective Jonathan Fernandez initially claimed ignorance of any discussions with fellow officers regarding Baseggio’s actions, only to later admit that he had been untruthful in a subsequent interview. Similarly, Officer Millie Sanchez acknowledged that she provided false and misleading information during her initial questioning. The systemic nature of the alleged dishonesty poses serious implications for the operational integrity of the department and raises questions about accountability and oversight.
The Kissimmee City Commission has recognized the serious nature of the allegations and the need for thorough remediation. They have committed to implementing a plan in response to the concerns raised by the State Attorney’s Office, and they expressed their support for Major Anzueto as he takes on the interim leadership role. Efforts will be focused not just on addressing the immediate issues but also on restoring community trust in the police department, which has been severely undermined by recent developments.
The unfolding situation illustrates the critical need for transparent and effective law enforcement practices. As the city navigates this crisis, officials are tasked with ensuring that all officers adhere to the highest standards of conduct. With ongoing investigations led by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Kissimmee community watches closely to see how leadership changes and accountability measures will address the current challenges, with the hope of establishing a police department that can regain public confidence and operate with integrity moving forward.