ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando is asking for an internal investigation into two Orlando police officers to see if the officers violated an ethics policy while working for a body camera company that was bidding to the department.
A newly released review said the Orlando Police Department didn’t know that training officer Brian Cechowski was working for Taser International.
The review said the department found out after the bidding process began, and that Cechowski was not a decision maker on who should outfit the officers with body cameras, so the bidding process is intact.
But there are still unanswered questions about his double-duty.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has launched an internal investigation into two officers. It was initially believed only one officer worked for Taser International, but a second officer, Anna Melnick, was paid by Taser International to train other law enforcement agencies on the cameras, while she was working for the Orlando Police Department.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said on Monday that a full investigation is the only way to make sure everything was done ethically.
The internal investigation is looking to see if Cechowski and Melnick violated city ethics and/or police policies.
Cechowski is no longer training and, for now, is back on patrol along with Melbick.
The officers have been ordered to quit their jobs with Taser International until investigators figure out whether an ethical line was crossed.
The city has also asked the State Ethics Committee to see if there was a violation.
The Orlando Police Department plans to outfit the first 100 officers with body cameras by July.
Cox Media Group
