Fort Myers City Council members vote in favor of an independent investigation into FMPD
Published:November 15, 2021 5:16 PM EST
At any point, Fort Myers City Council could call for an independent investigation into the Fort Myers Police Department.
An internal FMPD investigation cleared the department of accusations that it misled taxpayers over the cost of a new police headquarters. City council members say this needs to be looked into further.
Four Fort Myers City Council members are on record calling for an independent investigation. Those council members ordered the Fort Myers City Manager to perform that investigation. Councilman Johnny Streets plans to bring it up at Monday evening’s City Council meeting.
Council then voted to conduct the independent investigation. This is due to allegations of corruption.
Former Inspector General for FMPD Donald Oswald accused former Major William Newhouse of giving an unethical order. He told a lieutenant not to talk with the council about the cost overruns in constructing the new police headquarters.
That international investigation came back unfounded. Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bouchette says he wants the independent investigation because the internal investigation was performed by an investigator who worked for Newhouse.
“If you’re the whistleblower or you’re the critic, you need to have an ear that’s not owning to anybody. Chief… his duties are to take care of his department stop crime so this would be really in best keeping for good government outside,” said Bouchette.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said the appearance that the police department wasn’t transparent is enough to initiate the independent investigation.
The motion to investigate passed 5-2. Now, it’s up to the City Manager to hire someone to do it. The city plans to investigate whether Major Newhouse gave an unethical order.
Newhouse told WINK News that he would participate in any new investigation saying, “I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Reporter: Dannielle Garcia