The Key West Police Chief was disciplined for having on-duty police personnel help him move into a new home back in 2019, FL Keys News reported on Wednesday (October 7). Chief Sean Brandenburg was suspended for five days without pay after he and two captains "knowingly permitted" seven personnel participate help him move to Key West on July 15, 2019.
Lt. David Black and Officers Alexandre Gaufillet, Tyler Getchel, Randall Hartle, Matthew Johnson and Michael Shouldice was ordered to go through remedial training, City Manager Greg Veliz said. Due to chain of command, Brandenburg will handle the disciplinary actions. The police chief must also pay $681 in restitution.
“There were many people that wanted to help,” Veliz said during a City Commission meeting. “A citizen called in back when it happened. I was assured everyone was off duty.” He added having on-duty officers do such tasks is a direct violation of the city code of conduct. The city manager also said the officers were seen in uniform during the move and were driving city-owned vehicles.
“I continue to have confidence in our chief of police and dedicated officers,” said Veliz, calling the incident a “lapse in judgment.”
Brandenburg started his law enforcement career as an Indiana police officer in 1990. He joined Key West police in 2002 and was sworn in as police chief on December 6, 2018.
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