KISSIMMEE, Fla. – In a news conference on Thursday, Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain shared details of a grand jury’s findings and recommendations for the Kissimmee Police Department following a use-of-force investigation involving a former police officer.
Bain was joined by Chief Assistant State Attorney Ryan Williams, who discussed the details of the findings, stating the grand jury lacks confidence in KPD’s command staff.
“The grand jury found that the Kissimmee Police Department fosters a culture of silence where officer misconduct is not only not reported, but accepted,” Williams said. “Evidence and testimony presented to the grand jury showed officers failed to report (Andrew) Baseggio’s excessive use of force, which went on for several minutes without intervention from two other officers who were on the scene.”
Andrew Baseggio was indicted on Aug. 1 on felony battery, witness tampering, and other charges in connection with the arrest of Sean Kastner. Baseggio is accused of kneeing him in the face and using a Taser on him several times.
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Williams said Castner was resisting under the law, but that his level of resistance did not come close to warranting the force that was used.
“Body-worn camera footage showed the involved officers laughing about the incident and intentionally avoiding discussing it on their body-worn camera,” Williams said. “Statements made by other officers at the scene suggest that officers were aware that the use of force that night was excessive, and still they did nothing.”
The findings also concluded that despite policy violations, Baseggio’s only punishment was a day off without pay and the misconduct was not reported to the appropriate agencies including the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and the State Attorney’s Office.
The findings come just days after a letter from the state attorney’s office addressed issues with 11 officers and concerns about the Kissimmee Police Department’s overall credibility. On Monday, Kissimmee police announced personnel changes, including the resignation of Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea.
“Not only did Chief Holland notify Baseggio about the criminal investigation, but he was also shown the final report before prosecutors reviewed it allowing him to tamper with witnesses,” said Williams.
As part of the recommendations, Maj. Robert Anzueto of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office began his role as interim Kissimmee police chief on Wednesday. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has also been requested to conduct internal investigations into the officers whose truthfulness or conduct was called into question.
The city has also started taking action on other recommendations including providing enhanced training for Kissimmee police officers in crisis management, restructuring the police department’s internal affairs department, and increasing staffing, which Williams said was “severely understaffed and lacks resources required for effective oversight.”
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