Several officers from the Orlando Police Department are currently under investigation following a viral video that captured them at the Caribbean Carnival Festival. This event, partially funded by Orange County, Florida, through its arts and cultural affairs program, took place a couple of weekends ago. The officers were seen in the video standing by their golf cart while women in bikinis danced around them, a scene that has raised questions about their professionalism.

Department’s Response

The Orlando Police Department has stated that the behavior exhibited in the video does not align with the standards expected of its officers. The department emphasized that it does not condone such conduct and has initiated an internal investigation to determine if any policies or regulations were breached. The officers involved have been suspended from participating in ‘extra-duty events’ for four months pending the investigation’s outcome.

Expert Opinion

Jamie Copenhaver, a law enforcement expert, commented on the situation, suggesting that the officers should have exercised better judgment. He noted that while the officers may not have initiated the dancing, they should have taken steps to stop it. Copenhaver believes that failing to do so could impact the officers’ credibility in future situations, as they may be recognized from the video.

He further explained that a simple action, such as driving away from the scene, would have been a reasonable response to avoid the situation. Copenhaver’s concerns highlight the potential long-term implications for the officers involved, as their actions could be perceived as unprofessional in future encounters.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.