9 Investigates: Apopka police launch internal investigation

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News has learned an investigation has been launched within the Apopka Police Department after Channel 9’s Karla Ray pointed out a potential policy violation during a recent DUI investigation.

Previous Story: 9 Investigates: Officers accused of letting DUI suspect off over language barrier

Eyewitness News questioned the police department earlier this month whether a suspected drunken driver was let go because he didn’t speak English.

Body camera video from February, caught the broken Spanish as two Apopka police officers tried to communicate with the suspected drunken driver, who didn’t have a license or proof of citizenship.

Officer Heath Wood was heard saying on body camera, “I would love to do a DUI, but I don’t feel like being ate up with, ‘Oh well, he didn’t understand anything you were saying.’”

Moments later, the body camera worn by Officer Matthew Mceachnie, was suddenly shut off.

Eyewitness News noticed the body camera was off for four minutes, then turned back on.

Cox Media Group