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Orlando officer cleared in Taser ethics probe

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police officer has been cleared by an ethics investigation of any wrongdoing in connection with his employment at a company vying for a contract with the Orlando Police Department.

Master Officer Brian Cechowski was working for Taser International at the time the OPD was seeking a supplier of body cameras.

While working as a training instructor for Taser, Cechowski was also in charge of the OPD body camera program, officials said.

Cechowski was later reassigned from the body camera program, but OPD Chief John Mina said it wasn’t because he thought the officer did anything wrong.

“I thought it was best for him and the department that he is transferred to a different assignment,” Mina said.

Investigators in an ethics probe decided Cechowski had not violated any rules because he was not involved in the decision-making process.

The bidding process for the body cameras was subsequently canceled.

Motorola was eventually picked to supply the Orlando Police Department with body cameras.

The Fraternal Order of Police released a statement lauding the ethics investigation finding.

“The (Ethics) Commission’s investigation is now closed and MPO Cechowski can now continue his life’s work as a proud Orlando Police Officer.”

Cechowski now works in the OPD patrol division, the department said.