KISSIMMEE, Fla. — On Tuesday evening, Kissimmee residents got a first glimpse of what their new city council would look like for the next four years as commissioners unanimously approved the motion to move forward with a civilian oversight board.

What You Need To Know

  • Newly elected mayor Jackie Espinosa and commissioners for District 1 and 3, Noel Ortiz and Carlos Alvarez III, sworn into the city of Kissimmee

  • Council members discussed the creation of a civilian oversight board

  • Members of the board would review the policies and procedures of the Kissimmee Police Department

  • The motion comes less than a month after former police chief Betty Holland resigned because of concerns raised by the State Attorney Andrew Bain’s office about the truthfulness and conduct of nearly a dozen officers.

Mayor-elect Jackie Espinosa was sworn into the city of Kissimmee just in time for her first city council meeting, where big plans were already being discussed.  

Among those big plans is the potential creation of a civilian oversight board that would allow members to review the policies and procedures of the Kissimmee Police Department. 

The motion comes less than a month after former police chief Betty Holland resigned because of concerns raised by the State Attorney Andrew Bain’s office about the truthfulness and conduct of nearly a dozen officers.

It was Espinosa and District 1 and 3 commissioners Noel Ortiz and Carlos Alvarez III’s first day on the job.

Among their list of priorities on Tuesday night’s agenda: restoring the public’s trust in the Kissimmee Police Department.

“I believe it’s necessary so that the citizens of Kissimmee feel that there is transparency, that there is communication, and the best way to do that is by bringing in people that have an oversight on it,” said Espinosa.

It is that oversight that she and city commissioners believe will be made possible through the creation of a civilian oversight board that will review the policies and procedures of the Kissimmee Police Department. 

The main concern, which was raised in a letter by the state attorney’s office, regards the truthfulness and fitness for duty of 11 police officers.

The letter stems from an investigation Bain’s office conducted concerning officer Andrew Baseggio, who is accused of assaulting Sean David Kastner on April 22, 2023. Baseggio is currently facing numerous charges in the case, including felony battery, two counts of tampering with a witness, official misconduct, solicitation of perjury and battery.

“I have to filter out some issues, and I’m doing that as we speak. It’s going to take some time. It’s not something that I can do overnight,” interim Police Chief Maj. Robert Anzueto said.

Having served as interim police chief for over two weeks now, Anzueto said he wants the public to be aware of the limitations that this board will have.

Based on Florida statute, the board can only be used to review policies and procedures. 

He notes that there can only be a minimum of three and a maximum of seven members serving on the board but said that enacting this measure is already a first step in the right direction to restoring trust in the police department.

“They can review our response and resistance policy. They can review our body worn camera policy. I just came from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and their board made some recommendations on a policy and the sheriff enacted those changes, so that’s what the board’s going to be used for,” he explained.

On June 30, the city of Kissimmee voted to disband its citizens police review board in advance of the state law that took effect on July 1, limiting civilian oversight boards strictly to the review of policies and procedures. 

Attorney and former chairwoman of the Orlando Citizens Police Review Board, Caila Coleman, spoke from experience, saying that advisory boards are beneficial to a community.

“To be honest with you, it’s nationwide. It’s not just a Kissimmee problem. Anytime you have coverups in any police department, it’s just a small aspect as to what’s going on across the nation. So, the fact that the new mayor is coming in, wanting to do work with the police department, uncover these things and really provide transparency — that’s a step in the right direction,” Coleman said.

City commissioners unanimously approved the motion to move forward with a civilian oversight board during Tuesday’s city commission meeting.

Next, they will hear the first reading at their city commission meeting on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.