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Wayne Saunders
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Tab 10
conducted inaccurately after he was alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-
year-old girl in the Police Explorers Program in 2011. Both officers remain on the police force.
Additionally, two other officers were recently fired, yet one only reprimanded, for an off-duty
prank they pulled on a fellow officer that involved a high-speed chase while she was on duty.
Kim Meintzchel, one of the six officers who complained to FDLE and who was fired from the
department for supposed failure to comply with proper orders and untruthfulness, said there are
many more examples of corruption and favoritism within the department.
She said she wants people to know about it and said she thinks it has to do with poor and corrupt
leadership.
"I'm glad to hear the city manager has recommended an investigation, but I hope that the city
council will have a say on who the third party to be conducting it will be so that if can be done in
the fairest way possible," Meintzchel said. "Hopefully it's someone out of area who will be truly
unbiased and does not know any of the officers.
"We need somebody who is gonna be fair and professional and who will be sure to do the right
thing for the sake of uncovering truths that need to be uncovered."
Meintzchel also called Saunders' and Graham's retirement announcements "a start," but is still
not satisfied because they will still be associated with decisions within the city until their
scheduled departures.
She said she'd like to see them both terminated immediately, along with Johnson, who she says is
also part of the problem at the Police Department.
In light of the events of the last two weeks, Meintzchel said she feels the city is on "the right
track."
"We have some council members that seem genuinely interested in doing things that are in the
best interest of the citizens of Clermont. That the city manager and police chief are leaving also
leaves room for better leadership and new blood in some of the higher leadership positions and
that's good too," she said.
Mullins said he is saddened by how vicious the entire matter has turned.
City officials said a meeting with the city council will be scheduled "within the next few days" to
discuss the scope of the investigation into the police department and to determine who will be
retained to conduct it.
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