By Kelsey Tressler
Windermere Police Chief David
Ogden announced at a press conference on April 12 the arrest of Officer Jason
Darnell on felony charges for official misconduct and threatening a public
servant.
Darnell’s charges are second-
and third-degree felonies, and he has been booked at the Orange County Jail.
The public recently became aware of the alleged misconduct, which began with
allegations of racial bias against motorists. According to Ogden, four victims
have come forward claiming bias during traffic stops. All victims are of
minority races, and three are residents of Central Florida, Ogden said.
Officer Alejandro Rivera first
brought these complaints to the city in November 2012. Then-Interim Police
Chief Ted Brown involved Town Manager Robert Smith, who contacted the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE conducted the investigation that led to
Darnell’s arrest.
Officer Ryan Miller is facing
an internal investigation, as well. Miller, who was previously on paid
administrative leave, has been suspended without pay pending the investigation,
which will be conducted by the WPD and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the
chief said.
When asked, Odgen said he could
not reveal at the time of the conference whether Rivera received mistreatment
from either of the accused men. Officers involved with or under an ongoing
investigation are required by law to refrain from discussing the details of the
case.
Ogden assured members of the
media that the actions of these police officers took place under the previous
administration, and he has taken steps to create change in the WPD.
“These issues occurred last
year and have been thoroughly and properly investigated by the FDLE,” Ogden
said. “There is no place for these kinds of activities in law enforcement and
most especially in this police department. Since I began my administration in
January, I have made my leadership philosophies and expectations very clear.
Additionally, I have begun implementing new policies and procedures to ensure
that Windermere residents and visitors here are served by a highly professional
and proper law-enforcement agency.”
Darnell was hired by former
Chief Daniel Saylor, who was arrested for halting a child rape investigation
involving his friend, Scott Bush, and more recently for committing perjury
during the trial. Darnell worked for the WPD for five years. Miller was hired
under Police Chief Mike McCoy and served as a Windermere officer for about two
years.