CCPD officer placed on administrative leave after videotaped incident posted to Facebook
A Cape Coral police officer was placed on administrative leave Monday after a video posted on a social media site “purportedly show(ed) a Cape Coral Police Officer involved in a physical altercation with another subject.”
The post “has prompted an Internal Affairs investigation, with the involved Officer on administrative leave,” a release issued by the CCPD Monday states.
Cape Coral Police were notified Sunday of the video, which was posted to Facebook. The video shows an interaction between a woman, who can be heard screaming for her keys, and a man who is heard asking her to get into a taxi. An officer approached the woman from behind and took her by the arm. She can be seen tumbling to the ground, what appears to be several feet away.
“Upon reviewing the video, Chief of Police, Bart Connelly directed the Professional Standards Bureau to open an Internal Affairs investigation,” the release states. “The involved Officer was immediately placed on administrative duty.
“Detectives with the Professional Standards Bureau immediately contacted the involved parties and have begun to gather statements and evidence. The investigation is ongoing at this time.”
The administrative duty determination was amended and the officer was placed the placed on administrative leave.
“As a CALEA and CFA accredited agency, the Cape Coral Police Department maintains a culture of professionalism that does not tolerate the use of excessive force against any person at any time,” an earlier release by the CCPD states. “The agency also maintains the responsibility to our community to protect our citizens and officers which unfortunately at times, involves the use of physical force.
“We have seen the video of the incident. Pursuant to department policy, accreditation standards, and Florida State Statutes, a comprehensive Internal Affairs investigation will take place to establish the details surrounding this incident, to include a finding of fact, which will be made public upon its completion. If it is determined through this investigation that these actions were inappropriate, we will hold ourselves accountable.”