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Kissimmee City Council discusses bringing back civilian oversight board
Read full article: Kissimmee City Council discusses bringing back civilian oversight boardWeeks after a scandal rocked the Kissimmee Police Department, city commissioners and community members convened Tuesday night to discuss the return of a civilian oversight board.
Call made for Kissimmee police citizen review board to be reinstated. Can it be done?
Read full article: Call made for Kissimmee police citizen review board to be reinstated. Can it be done?A week after personnel changes at the Kissimmee Police Department, a call has been made for the police citizen review board to be reinstated.
‘Culture of silence:’ State attorney’s office shares findings in Kissimmee use-of-force investigation
Read full article: ‘Culture of silence:’ State attorney’s office shares findings in Kissimmee use-of-force investigationOrange-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.
Kissimmee police chief resigns after 11 officers’ truthfulness, conduct questioned
Read full article: Kissimmee police chief resigns after 11 officers’ truthfulness, conduct questionedKissimmee police announce personnel changes, including the resignation of Chief Betty Holland and Deputy Chief Camille Alicea.
New Kissimmee Police Department program helps protect your home when you’re away
Read full article: New Kissimmee Police Department program helps protect your home when you’re awayMost homes are burglarized when no one is home or when the homeowner is on vacation, according to the Kissimmee Police Department, so the PD started a specialized Vacation Watch Program.
Kissimmee police officer indicted in use of force case, relieved of duty
Read full article: Kissimmee police officer indicted in use of force case, relieved of dutyA now-former Kissimmee police officer faces charges of battery, official misconduct, witness tampering and more in connection to a 2023 use of force case, according to the office of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain.
Kissimmee police officer relieved of duty, accused of soliciting minor for nude photos
Read full article: Kissimmee police officer relieved of duty, accused of soliciting minor for nude photosA Kissimmee police officer has been relieved of duty and was arrested, accused of “soliciting a minor for nude photographs in exchange for payment,” according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and Kissimmee Police Department.
Prime suspect in Madeline Soto case waives court appearance after missing teen’s body found
Read full article: Prime suspect in Madeline Soto case waives court appearance after missing teen’s body foundStephan Sterns, the man named by Central Florida authorities as the prime suspect in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, waived his first appearance in Osceola County court on Saturday.
Kissimmee police seek to help most vulnerable through ‘Operation Identify’
Read full article: Kissimmee police seek to help most vulnerable through ‘Operation Identify’The Kissimmee Police Department is hoping to get results for some of the most vulnerable members of our community through its new initiative, "Operation Identify."
Woman upset over drug strength drives into ER of Florida hospital, police say
Read full article: Woman upset over drug strength drives into ER of Florida hospital, police sayA woman was arrested Thursday night after driving a vehicle through the ER entrance to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, where she had just been trespassed, according to the Kissimmee Police Department.
Kissimmee police seek information on shooting that left 43-year-old man dead
Read full article: Kissimmee police seek information on shooting that left 43-year-old man deadA 43-year-old man was shot and killed on Saturday and Kissimmee police are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect, according to a news release.
Freon leak forces partial evacuation of Osceola County Courthouse
Read full article: Freon leak forces partial evacuation of Osceola County CourthouseA freon leak at the Osceola County Courthouse on Wednesday forced “certain sections of the courthouse” to be evacuated, according t the Kissimmee Fire Department.
1 dead following Sunrail train crash in Kissimmee, police say
Read full article: 1 dead following Sunrail train crash in Kissimmee, police sayA Sunrail train crash involving a vehicle in Kissimmee left one person dead and sparked delays for the rail service, according to the Kissimmee Police Department.
Teen seriously injured when struck by car near Kissimmee Middle School, police say
Read full article: Teen seriously injured when struck by car near Kissimmee Middle School, police sayA 17-year-old boy was seriously injured after being struck by a car Thursday morning near Kissimmee Middle School, according to police.
Kissimmee shooting injures 1, search for suspect underway, police say
Read full article: Kissimmee shooting injures 1, search for suspect underway, police sayA search for an attempted murder suspect is underway after a shooting in Kissimmee injured one person, according to the Kissimmee Police Department.
Were not going to allow bystanding: Kissimmee police officers required to deescalate situations
Read full article: Were not going to allow bystanding: Kissimmee police officers required to deescalate situationsKISSIMMEE, Fla. As recent protests are sparking a national conversation around police training, the Kissimmee Police Department is sharing how it trains its officers to intervene and deescalate situations. He said he will not allow his officers to stand on the side and watch when they see another officer crossing the line. During the training, officers watch videos of real-life situations, as well as scripted scenarios. For instance, an unarmed, small-framed juvenile may be displaying Aggressive resistance, but would probably only require a Passive Resistance response by the average Officer. On the other hand, an Officers response to a large and obviously strong person demonstrating even mild resistance may be escalated to a relatively high point.
Police join protesters in March for Justice in Kissimmee
Read full article: Police join protesters in March for Justice in KissimmeeOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – The Kissimmee Police Department marched alongside hundreds of community members in a demonstration that started at the Civic Center and ended at the Kissimmee Police Department. Kissimmee Police Chief Jeffrey O’Dell said when they found out the community was putting together a march, he reached out and said he wanted to stand side-by-side with the community. “We stand with our community, we are not going to tolerate police brutality or any type of racism in our agency,” Chief O’Dell said. O’Dell said in standing next to people and walking with them, he is able to listen. Adding, “I get to hear what hurts in their heart.”Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson, and his deputies also took part in March.
Death investigation underway in Kissimmee
Read full article: Death investigation underway in KissimmeeKISSIMMEE, Fla. – A death investigation is underway Saturday in Kissimmee. Officials said the Kissimmee Police Department received 911 calls at about 12 a.m. Saturday in reference to hearing gunshots. Ricardo De Lara. (Photo courtesy of the Kissimmee Police Department.) Anyone with more information is asked to call the Kissimmee Police Department or Crimeline, which police said can be contacted anonymously at 800-423-TIPS.
Extra security to be at Denn John Middle School after rumors of threat on social media
Read full article: Extra security to be at Denn John Middle School after rumors of threat on social mediaOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – The Kissimmee Police Department is investigating rumors of a non-specific threat found on social media potentially in reference to Denn John Middle School, according to officials with Osceola County Schools. An important message for the parents of Denn John Middle: A non-specific threat has been detected on social media potentially in reference to Denn John Middle School. pic.twitter.com/ZIQmh86iV0 — Osceola Schools (@Osceolaschools) February 20, 2020Kissimmee police officials said Thursday morning that after talking to students, it was determined that no one actually heard or read any threat. Class will operate as normal on Thursday, according to school officials. Extra law enforcement and district security will be on campus, according to the district.
Judge denies Everett Miller’s attorneys motion to dismiss death penalty
Read full article: Judge denies Everett Miller’s attorneys motion to dismiss death penaltyOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A court hearing was held Friday morning to discuss new motions presented by Everett Miller’s attorneys after he was convicted of first-degree murder. The defense presented motions to set aside the jury’s death recommendation, set a new trial and interview the jurors. During the hearing, the judge denied the defense’s request to set aside the death recommendation and receive a new trial. "The court is going to deny the record for a death recommendation and the motion for a new trial." The court also denied defense’s requests to interview jurors, after the court believed there was no evidence that jurors were being bullied during the deliberating process.
Convicted Kissimmee cop killer wants death recommendation thrown out
Read full article: Convicted Kissimmee cop killer wants death recommendation thrown outOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A man convicted of fatally shooting two Kissimmee police officers wants the jury’s death sentence recommendation thrown out, according to court records. Everett Miller’s attorneys recently filed a 70-page motion asking that the death recommendation be set aside and that a new trial and sentencing proceeding be held. The documents also seek arrest of judgment and the opportunity to interview jurors. Miller’s sentencing is set for Dec. 20. Miller was convicted of killing Kissimmee Sgt.