Originally Posted by
Unregistered
In regards to post 549 the date of the actual arrest was oct 24, 2013, but your other comments seem to be right on target. The video of this arrest can be viewed on H/T website. Not withstanding the circumstances of this arrest and its eventual outcome we as taxpayers in North Port need to be aware of the following.
This arrest, as unlawful as it was, had to have it's paperwork approved by a ranking officer, Sergeant or above. Then also approved by the shift Lieutenant. Neither of which asked any questions or inquired as to the circumstances. During the course of this arrestee being put thru the system, the state attorney reviewed the paperwork and video and determined no charges would be filed. Somewhere in this initial process, an internal affairs investigation should have been initiated, if for no other reason than CYA, it never was. Now some two and a half years later, a internal investigation was started on the complaint of Attny Mogensen. The PD had the video, they had all the forged paperwork which did not match what we see in the video and yet no investigation why? Simply put, the statute of limitations. Did both officers commit battery, appears so, two yr limit from time of assault, did they commit official Misconduct felony, statute expired,did they commit forgery expired. So under the law, they cannot be charged, except for the misconduct in public office exception which gives leeway up to two yrs after leaving service to charge them. ( hardly ever used) They cannot even be held accountable administratively. Fla police bill of rights allows only 180 days from the time the infractions become known to bring them up on charges. The PD officially knew on Oct 24,2013 Time has expired. Do we believe for one minute this intentional stalling by the police admin was nothing more than allowing the statute of limitations to expire and pass it along to FDLE so they break the news to the public, all under the guise of hey we tried. Long is one of Vespia's boys, was promoted to K9 shortly after this incident, Lyons also promoted to detective. Neither are going to be held accountable, the PD conducted there own investigation and were told by the state attorney time limits expired. So Vespia has his friends at FDLE to break the news to us. This is by far the most inept police administration one could imagine. So after his taxpayer paid vacation Long will return to work, Lyons is still working and the taxpayers will pay for another lawsuit and Vespia will have pulled another one off.