Did the Volusia County Sheriff Department fail to properly investigate animal abuse allegations against a VCSO Captain?
Is this just another example of VCSO failing to investigate their own?
Updated August 17, 2011
"Nip it, just nip it in the bud !"- Actor Don Knotts' character - Barney Fife
The below media articles published some additional concerns on whether the Volusia County Sheriff Office (VCSO) can be trusted to properly investigate alleged misconduct within their own ranks.
The current situation center around allegations of possible animal abuse by a VCSO Captain.
We first invite our readers to review the below media accounts regarding the animal abuse allegations.
In early September 2010, the VCSO became aware of concerns surrounding VCSO Captain Bonnevier's treatment of a dog used by VCSO as a service dog. Apparently, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson was verbally advised by VCSO volunteer Howard McBride of his concerns about Captain Bonnevier.
Sources have indicated that Mr. McBride and Sheriff Johnson have a family relationship - but as of this writing, this can not be confirmed or denied.
Apparently, VCSO did conduct a review of the concerns surrounding Captain Bonnevier's treatment of the dog. However, this "review" apparently did not rise to the level of an official internal affair's investigation, as would have been required by Florida law, if the agency suspected misconduct by Captain Bonnevier.
F.S. 943.1395(5) -"The employing agency must conduct an internal investigation if it has cause to suspect that an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7). If an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7), the employing agency must submit the investigative findings and supporting information and documentation to the commission in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The commission may inspect and copy an employing agency’s records to ensure compliance with this subsection."
Not only did VCSO appear not to follow Florida State law, but once again, VCSO apparently failed to follow their own Internal Affairs procedures and get the civilain complaint in documented form (VCSO Citizen Complaint Form).
Such additional failures by the VCSO reminds us of the Captain Osowski incident. In November 2010, Captain Osowski was alleged to have obstructed justice involving a traffic homicide investigation on his son. VCSO administration originally took the position (in the media) that they did not have to conduct an internal affairs investigation being that Captain Osowski had submitted his notice of retirement.
It was only after VolusiaExposed.Com emailed (December 12, 2010) VCSO officials, did they admit that Florida Law mandated that the internal affairs investigation was mandated, regardless of Captain Osowski's pending retirement.
This VCSO "field notes" report appears to indentify other concerns surrounding Captain Bonnevier, other than just animal abuse. On page 4 and 5 of the field notes report - the follow concerns were documented:
- Jerking the K9's head and causing injury to his jaw.
- hanging the K9 by a rope.
- consistently yelling and cursing at the K9.
- striking the K9 and causing further injury to the K9.
- using inappropriate language toward other members of law enforcement ("fuck these guys").
- Captain Bonnevier's overall temperament towards members of the community and other agencies / organizations.
Are any of the above possible criminal violations of the laws of Florida?
VolusiaExposed.Com wonders why the VCSO did not conduct a formal internal affairs investigation into the alleged misconduct of Captain Bonnevier? However, shortly after the September 2010 allegations, Captain Bonnevier was reassigned out of the Special Services Section (K9 duty).
Obviously, if the VCSO administration authorized the "field notes" review of the matter, they had "cause to suspect" (as per F.S. 943.1395) that Captain Bonnevier had possibly engaged in misconduct. Further, the VCSO review did not apparently clear Captain Bonnevier of the allegations, if anything it appears to not only support them, but also supports that Bonnevier conducts himself in an unprofessional manner in his dealings with the community and others within the law enforcement profession.
The bottom line here is - Can the Volusia County community trust the current VCSO administration with enforcing the laws of Florida, when it apparently can not even follow or enforce their own agency policies and/or Florida State law when it comes to members of their own agency?
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE CAPTAIN BONNEVIER INCIDENT
The following documents are clarification communications between VCSO Public Information Officer, Gary Davidson and the Daytona Beach News Journal. Mr. Davidson believes that these documents bring clarity to the issue, therefore in fairness, VolusiaExposed.Com has posted them for your review.