FORT MYERS, Fla., - City Leaders spoke to Four In Your Corner Thursday about the Fort Myers Police Chief's push for the U.S Attorney's Office to investigate cases of officer misconduct. Chief Derrick Diggs submitted the official request this week.
The request followed an independent audit which revealed the move should be their top priority going forward.
The report uncovered a lack of trust among officers, and citizen's complaints of officer harassment not being addressed. The audit also highlighted that officers may have leaked information to drug dealers about search warrants.
"We don't like the fact that there are shortcomings in the police department. That's unacceptable. IT's unacceptable when citizens are worried about whether or not they are treated fairly," said Randall Henderson, mayor of Fort Myers.
City Council members discussed and rejected a motion on Monday to direct the city manager to work with Chief Diggs to request the outside investigation.
"Where is the sense of urgency to get things done the right way for the citizens of Fort Myers?" said Johnny Streets, a Fort Myers councilman."Let's restore the trust to the community, to the police department, to this council that we're going to do the right thing," Streets added
City manager Saeed Kazemi says he's hopes this move will show citizens of Fort Myers the police department is commited to taking steps on the findings of the audit.
