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Orange City police’s No. 2 demoted for relationship with subordinate animal control officer Did OCPD violate state law and procedures by NOT formally investigating the allegations? |
January 24, 2014 |
"Police throughout the United States have been caught fabricating, planting, and manipulating evidence to obtain convictions where cases would otherwise be very weak. Some authorities regard police perjury as so rampant that it can be considered a "subcultural norm rather than an individual aberration" of police officers."
UPDATED JANUARY 24, 2014
VolusiaExposed Spoke With Police Chief Thomas
Chief Thomas stated that the allegations attached to Commander Sampsell did NOT
contain any sexual harassment OR sex on duty concerns.
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Is There Too Much Tolerence For Police Misconduct? Are Police Officers Treated Too Much Like Rock Stars?
According to a recent Daytona Beach News-Journal article, Orange City Police Chief Peter Thomas has demoted his second in command, Jason Sampsell.
Nickelback - RockStar Click The Pause Button To Stop Music Video Chief Thomas' January 7, 2014 demotion letter states that Sampsell was demoted for engaging in a "physical relationship" with one of his subordinates. VolusiaExposed.Com is not being critical of Lt. Sampsell's disciplinary action. We suspect that given Sampsell's exemplary history with the OCPD, that his disciplinary action was within accepted parameters. Where we (VolusiaExposed) do wish to express some concern, is OCPD's apparent failure to properly follow Florida State law in their refusal to conduct an official internal affairs investigation. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal article, Chief Thomas "did not open a formal internal affairs investigation on Sampsell's actions because the officer was forthcoming with him and admitted his wrongdoing". |
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While it is outstanding that Commander Sampsell was forthcoming in admitting to his wrongdoing - what exactly were the allegations of wrongdoing?
Since the OCPD did not conduct a formal investigation into the allegations, the public is left wondering if all of the allegations were even acknowledged. In a series of emails, to and from Orange City officials, VolusiaExposed.Com attempted to obtain other documents in order to clarify what the exact allegations were against Commander Sampsell. VolusiaExposed.Com was advised by city officials (see emails), that Commander Sampsell's demotion letter was the only document generated regarding the allegations lodged against Sampsell. |
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Did OCPD Comply With Florida Law?
All state and local law enforcement officers within the State of Florida hold a certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), a branch of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The CJSTC has developed moral character standards, that officers must maintain in order to continue holding a CJSTC certification. These CJSTC moral character standards are codified within Florida Administrative Code 11B-27.0011. Engaging in sexual harassment or having sex while on duty are violations of these moral character standards (see page two of FAC 11B27.0011).
According to CJSTC regulations, and Florida State Statutes (F.S. 943.1395(5)), such violations of the officer moral character standards MUST be internally investigated by the employing law enforcement agency, and if sustained, these findings MUST be reported to the CJSTC / FDLE for further review.
IS IS IMPORTANT to understand - that currently there is NO evidence to support that the allegations against Commander Sampsell included sexual harassment or sex on duty. BUT then again, according to Orange City officials, the only document that even discusses the Sampsell allegations is the demotion letter.
VolusiaExposed.Com has requested (see above email link) that Orange City officials assure us that, the allegations of Commander Sampsell being involved in a "physical relationship" with a subordinate, did NOT include sexual harassment or sex on duty - as of the date of this posting, no such assurances have been received from Orange City officials.
The CJSTC has developed moral character standards, that officers must maintain in order to continue holding a CJSTC certification. These CJSTC moral character standards are codified within Florida Administrative Code 11B-27.0011. Engaging in sexual harassment or having sex while on duty are violations of these moral character standards (see page two of FAC 11B27.0011).
According to CJSTC regulations, and Florida State Statutes (F.S. 943.1395(5)), such violations of the officer moral character standards MUST be internally investigated by the employing law enforcement agency, and if sustained, these findings MUST be reported to the CJSTC / FDLE for further review.
IS IS IMPORTANT to understand - that currently there is NO evidence to support that the allegations against Commander Sampsell included sexual harassment or sex on duty. BUT then again, according to Orange City officials, the only document that even discusses the Sampsell allegations is the demotion letter.
VolusiaExposed.Com has requested (see above email link) that Orange City officials assure us that, the allegations of Commander Sampsell being involved in a "physical relationship" with a subordinate, did NOT include sexual harassment or sex on duty - as of the date of this posting, no such assurances have been received from Orange City officials.
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Given the recent sex scandals coming out of the Pinellas County Sheriff Department and the LakeLand Police Department, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) feel that our request for assurances that similar allegations are not attached to the Sampsell demotion is fair.
In our (VolusiaExposed.Com) opinion, absent the OCPD being able to give such assurances, they should open an internal investigation - absent OCPD opening such an investigation, CJSTC / FDLE should take corrective action. What do you think? |
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Should the OCPD opt not to issue assurances or to investigate, VolusiaExposed.Com is prepared to independently approach CJSTC / FDLE regarding our concerns.
We (VolusiaExposed.Com) made contact with CJSTC / FDLE regarding our concerns attached to the Flagler County Deputy Greg Nunziato matter, and we shall not hesitate to do such in the Sampsell matter. Stand By to Stand By - we will let you know if anything develops. |
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Within Central Florida
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If you found this article to be thought provoking, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) invite you to review, the below linked, Special Investigative Report, exposing law enforcement corruption with the State of Florida.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRUPTION
by Matthew Doig and Anthony Cormier
Volusia County Sheriff's Department
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