2 cops suspended after battery report concerns

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating two Winter Springs Police officers after videos revealed a report they filed alleging assault by the city’s finance director may not have happened, according to Winter Springs Mayor Charles Lacey.

The two officers are suspended without pay, said Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle.

The officers wrote in a report that the finance director assaulted one of them at a Jan. 25 meeting at Winter Springs City Hall, said Lacey.

But videos from inside city hall showed no such assault occurred, Lacey said. An internal investigation began more than a week ago, and FDLE’s investigation began Monday, he said.

“I guess it’s up to the judicial system to see if an inaccurate report stretches to criminal actions,” said Lacey.

Lacey declined to name the officers involved or the finance director. The officers have been with the department less than five years, he said.

Brunelle said the incident “alarmed him,” which is way he notified FDLE. He declined further comment, citing an open investigation.

Lacey said the officers may have taken issue over a labor dispute more than a year ago, when the officers were deciding whether to unionize. Officers began a union in 2015 but decertified it a year later, Lacey said.

Lacey said the officers’ alleged actions give a black mark to the department.

“The police in general are very highly regarded,” said Lacey. “It’s very disappointing that these two officers abused their power.”