State Attorney Ashton’s letter Incites all of Law Enforcement in Central Florida

For those of you who may or may not know, State Attorney Jeff Ashton, Orange Osceola State Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial Circuit, has decided to convene a grand jury to determine the use of deadly force that was used by members of the Orlando Police Department on January 16, 2013. Most of us in law enforcement believe in the inherent rights afforded to us in the Constitution and the process in place to have a grand jury of our peers and citizens to review the facts and circumstances regarding the justifiable use of deadly force. Quite frankly, we believe it is best to be judged by 18-24 people than one prosecutor or state attorney to determine our fate. With that being said, we support the grand jury in our system of justice because it validates the public’s trust in our actions.

However, what deeply concerns us as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office FOP 93 Executive Board, is the rhetoric and characterization that Mr. Ashton asserts in his three paragraph letter to Chief Police, Paul Rooney, regarding his grave concern on the use of deadly force to his office and the community. The tone and characterization of the letter certainly insinuates inappropriate or questionable use of deadly force for ALL law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida. We have attached a copy of the letter rendered by Mr. Ashton to Chief Rooney and you evaluate the letter for yourself.

Regardless, the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 25-Orlando Police Department and Lodge 93-Orange County Sheriff’s Office are collectively meeting with State Attorney Ashton tomorrow, June 19^th, 2013 at 10:00 am. The purpose of the meeting is to have an open, frank, and candid discussion of his concerns and the many concerns that we have as law enforcement putting everything on the line, to include our liberty, in jeopardy for the better of the safety of the community that we serve. We have heard your concerns and we are going to address these concerns in respectful but firm manner with our elected state attorney. If anyone wants to post any issues of concern or your opinion, we value your input and remember we are only as strong as our members who ban together in solidarity. We will update you all with the results of the meeting.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
Fraternal Order of Police - Lodge 93