Sarasota, FL: At the request of City Manager Robert Bartolotta, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a review into the recent handling of a criminal case involving the Sarasota Police Department. The City Manager traveled to Tampa this afternoon and finalized the scope of the administrative investigation.
“We’ll let the review go wherever it goes,” said City Manager Robert Bartolotta. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committing a team of investigators to this review and they’re giving it a high priority. They have vast experience in dealing with an array of different investigations. And, I’m confident they’ll move it along at a fast clip,” said Bartolotta. Neither the City of Sarasota nor the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is dictating a timeframe for the completion of the administrative investigation.
The review will concentrate on SPD’s recent handling of a case in which an officer assigned to conduct a criminal investigation was also involved with negotiating a financial settlement for the same case.
Prior to engaging the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Bartolotta spoke with representatives from many area law enforcement agencies as well as individuals qualified to conduct such an administrative investigation. “We didn’t want the City to be placed in the awkward position of having to review itself, so we asked for outside assistance,” said Bartolotta.
The City of Sarasota will not comment further on the review until its completion. Chief Peter J. Abbott will remain on paid administrative leave until the administrative investigation is finished. Captain Lucius Bonner will continue to serve as acting Police Chief SPD.
“The men and women of the Sarasota Police Department continue to provide great service to the City of Sarasota,” said Bartolotta. “And, even though there are some issues which need to be reviewed SPD needs the community’s support.”
For more information, please contact:
Jan
Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com
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