Orlando Citizens Review Board addresses call for chairman to be removed

Letter written after board clears officer of excessive force

ORLANDO, Fla. – At a meeting early Wednesday, the Citizens Review Board addressed a recent call for the board's chairman to be removed.

In late April, the president of the Florida Lodge Fraternal Order of Police wrote a letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer alleging Chairman Henry Lim may be using his position for future political gain.

"For anyone to insinuate that I'm using this for political gain," said Lim.  "Nothing could be further from the truth and I can assure you of that."

Lim is currently a candidate for Florida House District 47.

"We believe that Mr. Lim, through his campaign, may use his current position as the CRB chair to aid in his effort for political office and compromise his decisions in order to influence voters," said FOP President James Preston.

The letter was written after the review board rejected an internal affairs finding which cleared Orlando Police Officer James Wilson for using excessive force during an arrest near Parramore Avenue.

"Chairman Lim went on a 15 minute tirade mirroring the type of incendiary and divisive rhetoric we see day in and day out in the media," said Preston.

Lim called the case appalling and pointed out that the entire board voted against the internal affairs investigation.

"This board voted unanimously.  It wasn't just myself voting in this matter," said Lim.

When asked about the letter, the city said Lim has not violated any city codes and efforts will be made to ensure he remains neutral in his position.


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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