Law Enforcement Derides 'Bad Cop Bill'

SEBRING Lake Placid Police Chief Phil Williams thinks legislation like House Bill 1107 prevents supervising officers from conducting a "half-decent" internal affairs investigation.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, would give additional rights to police officers under investigation. It would provide law enforcement or corrections officers under investigation with the right to review witness statements by other officers and other evidence before an interrogation.

It was approved unanimously this week in the House Public Safety Committee, but still must go through three more committees before reaching the floor.

Sheriffs and police chiefs are not happy about the legislation, which they're calling a "bad cop bill."

Williams said officers facing potential disciplinary action already have those rights afforded to them.

Florida state statutes allow for those under investigation to be informed of its nature before any interrogation, as well as the names of all complainants. The officer would also receive the complaint and all witness statements prior to an investigative interview.

"A lot of folks don't realize (it), but there are some officers that really need to go," Williams said. "What they're doing is restricting the rights of management from actually accomplishing a half-decent investigation."

Before coming to Lake Placid, Williams worked for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and handled several internal affairs investigations. He recalled one where allegations were made that a deputy had sexually assaulted a girl.

Legislation such as House Bill 1107 and rights offered through statutes give law enforcement officials like the one Williams investigated "things to hide behind," he said.

"You're putting an officer back on duty and you're putting a potential rapist back on the streets," Williams said.

On Wednesday, the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association held a news conference to speak out against the bill.

"As elected sheriffs, it is our duty and responsibility to hold accountable officers who dishonor the badge," said Duval County Sheriff John H. Rutherford.

Williams said those few bad cops can make work difficult for the many honest officers who are going out every day and trying to serve their communities with integrity and honesty.

"The good officers on the force want the bad officers gone," he said. "The bad officers make them look bad."