Did The Volusia County Sheriff's Office Falsify Lt. James Day's Separation Affidavit?
Failing To Identify Law Enforcement's "Bad Apples".
Updated September 15, 2020
"Corrupt governments run corrupt courts that protect corrupt cops." - Steven Magee
Agreeing To Disagree
Generally, this publication offers the OPINION, that the Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) is a better than average organization.
For the most part *, we have found the VCSO to be transparent and open to communication.
* FULL DISCLOSURE The VCSO has been less than transparent with the local media organization "HeadlineSurfer.Com"
Yeah, like any law enforcement agency, VCSO has it's problems. But when compared with some other neighboring sheriff's offices, Sheriff Mike Chitwood's agency is a shining star.
However, in as far as, the sheriff's office handling of Lt. James Day's recent retirement - this publication, and Sheriff Chitwood have agreed to disagree (via several email communications). This publication forwards the "OPINION" that the VCSO frauduently filed Lt. Day's "separation affidavit" with Florida State officials (FDLE / CJSTC). Sheriff Chitwood argues the converse.
Therefore, in support of the public's best interest - we shall now memorialize our (VolusiaExposed / Sheriff Chitwood) disagreeing opinions. We invite members of the public to form their own "OPINION".
Volusia Sheriff Lieutenant Accused Of Being A Coward
Lt. James Day's VCSO Internal Affairs Report CLICK TO READ COMPLETE REPORT IN PDF FORMAT
Lt. James Day's Affidavit Of Separation Form (CJSTC-61) CLICK TO READ COMPLETE REPORT IN PDF FORMAT
While recognizing the excellent coverage by the DBNJ, this publication is going to apply the "Paul Harvey" approach to journalism, and provide our readers "with the rest of the story".
The Rest Of The Story The Falsification Of Official Records?
Both Florida statutes (Chapter 943), and Florida Administive Code (Chapter 11B-27) requires all law enforcement agencies to file an official "separation affidavit" when a law enforcement officer (deputy) separates employment with the agency. The CJSTC 61 form is similiar to a U.S. soldier's DD-214 form.
Much like a DD-214 denotes whether a soldier received an "honorable" or "dis-honorable" military discharge, the CJSTC 61 denotes whether the law enforcement officer left his / her agency in a "Favorable" or "Un-Favorable" manner (see CJSTC 61 form - upper right of page).
Florida law, as well as the simple instructions on the CJSTC 61 form, mandates that if a law enforcement officer departs (resigns / retires) while under investigation, the CJSTC 61 form MUST indicate a "unfavorable" separation (see the circled highlighted areas of the above attached CJSTC 61 form).
"UNFAVORABLE - MISCONDUCT
7E. "Voluntary separation or retirement while being investigated for violation of agency or training school policy not involving a moral character violation definded in Rule 11B-27.0011, F.A.C."
"Voluntary separation or retirement in lieu of termination for violation of agency or training school policy not involving a moral character violation defined in Rule 11B-27.0011, F.A.C."
"Terminated for violation of agency or training school policy not involving a moral character violation defined in Rule 11B-27.0011, F.A.C."
Lt Day's internal investigation clearly documents within the narrative of the investigative report, that Day resigned (retired) while the investigation was still active. The investigative report indicates an investigation completion date of July 8, 2020.
Records clearly support (open and scroll down) that Lt. Day submitted his resignation on June 10, 2020 - with Sheriff Chitwood accepting the resignation on that same date, effective June 26, 2020. Further, the CJSTC 61 clearly denotes Lt. Day's effective separation date as June 26, 2020 - twelve (12) days prior to the completion of the VCSO investigation (July 8, 2020).
Clearly, Lt. Day separated his employment with the VCSO while he was still "being investigated"(reference CJSTC 61). Therefore, the sheriff's office was mandated to indicate an unfavorable separation on Lt. Day's CJSTC 61 form - rather than the favorable one that was so indicated (7A) (see the circled highlighted areas of the above attached CJSTC 61 form).
7A "Voluntary separation NOT involving misconduct"
While many citizens across this nation are challenging the entire law enforcement paradigm, and it's funding, law enforcement agencies are pushing back, stating that they, only have a few bad apples (rogue officers / deputies) to root out.
Problem is - how does a police agency (like the VCSO) intend on "rooting out" their bad apples - when the agency doesn't even follow the law, regarding how "bad apples" are to be reported to the state's oversight agency (CJSTC)?
Given the circumstances surrounding Lt. Day - its clear that this "bad apple" was not properly reported to the CJSTC. And by not obeying the law - isn't the VCSO itself, just another "rotten apple"?
That's the bad news - the good news is - that while the VCSO has apparently given itself a license to falsify CJSTC 61 forms - they (VCSO adminstration) appear to have a lower tolerance for lying, when a deputy (Deputy Phillip Donaldson) allegedly falsified a report on how he came into the possession of a stolen gun.
Unlike Lieutenant Day, Captain Osowski was eventually cleared of any misconduct, however, because Osowski had retired prior to the completion of the internal investigation - VCSO was mandated to file his CJSTC 61 under the UNFAVORABLE condition of 7F "UNFAVORABLE - MISCONDUCT
7F. "Voluntary separation or retirement while being investigated for violation of Section 943.13(4), F.S., or violation of moral character standards defined in Rule 11B-27.0011, F.A.C."
Crickets From CJSTC
We have reached out, via emails, to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) regarding our falsification concerns. So far, we have not received any responses (crickets). Apparently, both FDLE and the CJSTC have become very accustomed to allowing law enforcement agencies to knowingly lie to them - regardless, whether those lies involve - the manner in which a Volusia County lieutenant retires, OR the events surrounding the death of a Brevard County jail inmate.
Should the public be so inclined, and want to reach out to the CJSTC - they (CJSTC administrative staff) can be reached at these email addresses.
By side tracking, or short circuiting, the system that was designed to root out law enforcement's "bad apples" - agencies like the VCSO & CJSTC are allowing the "bad seeds" to move from agency to agency as unchecked "gypsy cops" - infecting the scourge of police misconduct within each additional agency that hires them.
Might we suggest, that instead of calling for the "de-funding" of our police agencies - that the public demand, that police officials be held more criminally and civilly liable, when they fail to properly report, or act upon, allegations of police misconduct. This would mandate some modifications to current qualified immunity laws.
In our quest for additional insight - our editorial staff will shortly be reaching out to the law enforcement accrediting agencies, that are attached to the VCSO.
So......stand by to stand by ............ there is surely more to come of this......
Until then...fluff up your hair, because we have reached back to the 1980s for our tribute song between the CJSTC (FDLE) and Sheriff Mike Chitwood......
Tell Me Lies ~ Fleetwood Mac
We look forward to your comments on this situation. Drop us a line to let us know what you think. EMAIL US