Kissimmee Police Department has ‘culture of non-reporting’ grand jury concludes

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Details of a grand jury’s indictment unsealed Thursday morning claim a culture of non-reporting within the Kissimmee Police Department. It stems from a 2023 use-of-force incident in which former Kissimmee police officer Andrew Baseggio is accused of kneeing a man in the face and shocking him with a stun gun several times while the man was experiencing a mental health crisis. Baseggio was formally charged with felony battery, two counts of tampering with a witness, official misconduct, solicitation for perjury and misdemeanor battery. >> Kissimmee PD will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. WESH will stream it at the top of this article. State Attorney Andrew Bain during a news conference Thursday morning said the grand jury had determined the Kissimmee Police Department harbored a culture of silence and covered up misconduct, among other things. Watch the full news conference below.More: Kissimmee police officer indicted in use-of-force case that seriously injured a manThe grand jury said it lacked confidence in Kissimmee police command staff and Chief Betty Holland’s ability to lead. She has since resigned.The indictment claims other responding officers laughed about the incident involving Baseggio and were aware the use of force that night was excessive and still did nothing.Bain said the culture of non-reporting within the department extended to Baseggio’s punishment – he was given one unpaid day off. More: Kissimmee names interim chief of police after chief resigns amid concerns of conduct in departmentRecommendations The grand jury recommended an evaluation of KPD’s current command staff and updates to policies after finding the police department “harbors a culture of silence where officer misconduct is not reported and accepted,” the State Attorney’s Office said. The grand jury is asking that KPD leadership have the resources to quickly address the culture of acceptance and non-reporting, particularly surrounding use of force or officer wrongdoing.The grand jury concluded KPD’s Internal Affairs Section is severely understaffed and lacks resources, leading to inadequate case investigations and poor record-keeping and recommended restructuring and increased staffing for effective oversight.The grand jury recommends KPD establish formal discipline for officers who discuss pending IA investigations.The grand jury recommends KPD provide extensive officer training in crisis management, search and seizure laws and investigative protocols.The grand jury recommends KPD comply with Florida law on mandatory reporting requirements and establish procedures to ensure reporting is done moving forward.The grand jury recommends addressing truthfulness issues through reporting requirements the Office of the State Attorney must follow.Next stepsBaseggio’s criminal case will move through the judicial process, Bain’s office said. The City of Kissimmee “has begun taking proactive steps in response to the grand jury’s findings and we commend its commitment to addressing the community’s concerns,” a news release from Bain’s office reads. “Kissimmee has accepted the resignations of two KPD command staff members, including former Police Chief Betty Holland, and appointed an interim chief from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.” The City has requested the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office conduct internal investigations into the 11 KPD officers identified in the investigation. The State Attorney’s Office will review the findings to determine if any officers should be listed in its Brady Identification System, which identifies officers whose credibility may be in question.

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