Sarasota, FL – Officer Clifford Cespedes of the Sarasota Police Department has been the subject of 43 informal Internal Affairs investigations, raising concerns about his conduct and accountability within the department.
History of Internal Investigations
According to Internal Affairs records, Cespedes has been investigated multiple times over the course of his career for various infractions, including misconduct, use of force, and procedural violations. These cases, while categorized as informal, highlight a pattern of behavior.
Lack of Formal Disciplinary Action
Despite the high number of inquiries, many of these cases did not lead to significant disciplinary actions. Informal investigations typically involve minor infractions, counseling, or retraining, rather than severe penalties such as suspension or termination. However, the sheer volume of complaints raises questions about oversight and whether repeated infractions should have warranted stronger disciplinary measures.
Public records requests show that citizens’ tax dollars pay Officer Clifford Cespedes $48.97/hr while on duty:
(Image provided by Sarasota Police Department Public Records Division)
Notable Incidents in Officer Clifford Cespedes’ Internal Affairs Record
1. Sleeping on Duty:
Officer Cespedes was reported multiple times for sleeping while on duty. In several instances, he was found asleep inside his patrol vehicle during active shifts. These incidents raised concerns about his attentiveness and response time to emergency calls, though they were handled informally within the department.
2. Firearms Incidents:
Cespedes was involved in multiple firearm-related incidents, including failure to properly secure his service weaponand violations of firearm safety protocols. One specific case involved his firearm discharging in an unauthorized area, leading to an internal review. Despite the seriousness of these cases, no formal disciplinary actions were taken beyond counseling and retraining.
3. Misconduct and Professionalism Issues:
There were multiple complaints regarding Cespedes’ interactions with the public and colleagues. Reports indicate that he failed to follow proper protocol during traffic stops, used inappropriate language, and was accused of unprofessional behavior while responding to calls.
4. Procedural Violations:
Cespedes was also investigated for failing to file reports on time, neglecting proper evidence handling procedures, and ignoring department policies on use-of-force documentation. While these cases were deemed minor, the frequency of violations raised concerns about his overall adherence to department standards.
In 2002, Officer Cespedes was suspended for one day after intervening in a civil dispute between two individuals involved in a car accident. He acted as a mediator, facilitating payment from one party to another, which led to allegations of misconduct. The internal investigation concluded that Cespedes violated department policies by presuming to adjudicate a civil matter.
These examples highlight a recurring pattern of infractions that, while handled informally, raise questions about the effectiveness of oversight within the Sarasota Police Department.
As scrutiny over law enforcement accountability grows, this case underscores the importance of transparency and departmental oversight in maintaining public trust.
This is a developing story, and further updates may be provided as more information becomes available.
