Deputy Chief Accused Of Child Abuse
POSTED: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
UPDATED: 12:03 am EDT May 8,
2008
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A top-ranking police official in Kissimmee has been suspended amid allegations that she abused a teenage family member, Local 6 News reported.
Kissimmee police Deputy Chief Kristin Walters, 45, was placed on administrative leave with pay on Monday. A neighboring police agency is investigating the allegations.
"We did receive an allegation of child abuse," St. Cloud police Sgt. Boyd Graham said. "There were no serious injuries, no traumatic events. Just an allegation about something that could be, on one hand, perceived as discipline, could be perceived as discipline perhaps that got out of hand due to a very chaotic circumstance."
Walters told Local 6 News that she was involved in a heated discussion last month with a teenage family member and disciplined the teen. Walters, who supervises the Kissimmee Police Department's training and records, said she could have handled the situation more appropriately.
She also said that her suspension is standard procedure when allegations are brought against an officer.
"At the moment, there is no plan to make a physical arrest, however, there is sufficient information that we can't absolutely unfound the case right now," Graham said.
The case will likely be forwarded to the State Attorney's Office, which will determine if charges should be filed.
Walters was hired as Kissimee's first female deputy chief four years ago.
In 2006, she interviewed for the position of chief but did not get the job.
Walters' husband, Randy, used to be the deputy chief of the Kissimmee Fire Department. He resigned two years ago amid allegations that he sexually harassed two city employees, Local 6 News reported.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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