A new program Kissimmee Police Department program puts officers in situations that test their ethics.

  • EPIC training in Kissimmee teacher ethical policing
  • Program implemented after Street Crimes Unit case in 2016
  • 3 officers were under investigation for giving false testimony

Det. Brandon Rivera has been with the Kissimmee Police Department for five years.

“I am always wanting to help people,” Rivera said. “I’ve grown up in Kissimmee almost my entire life, so I know this area and I know the people here.”

Rivera is partaking in a new training program implemented by Chief Jeff O’Dell. EPIC, which stands for “Ethical Policing Is Courageous,” was originally conceived and implemented by the New Orleans Police Department.

The training consists of lectures, discussions and active scenarios in which officers have to intervene.

“We teach ethics every year in our yearly block training and this is kind of a new twist on it. It’s things that officers do everyday no matter what,” said Sergeant Stacey Baseggio. “It’s just kind of putting a label on it, making sure that they know it’s represented from the chief down to the newest officer.”

Back in March 2016, three KPD officers with the Street Crimes Unit were investigated for allegedly giving false testimony. Those officers were ultimately fired or resigned and due to the allegations, the Street Crimes Unit was suspended.

That unit has made a comeback in the past couple of weeks with different staff. But the chief says it’s additional programs like EPIC that will help prevent these incidents from happening again.

“It was an embarrassment to our agency, an embarrassment to every person that works in this building,” Chief O’Dell said. “So I think I just took advantage of those feelings and we took it to the next level.”

Rivera says this training is not just for him or the agency’s reputation, but to also offer a more professional service to his community.

“It shows them that we’re transparent in what we do and we want them to see we’re here for them. We care about the community,” Rivera added.