KISSIMMEE, Fla. – In his first 100 days as chief of the Kissimmee Police Department, Charles Broadway says he has introduced several significant initiatives aimed at restoring public trust in the wake of a scandal that rocked the department in 2023.
Chief Broadway, appointed after a major controversy involving an unauthorized and forceful entry into a citizen’s home, addressed concerns directly.
“Those who possibly lost trust in us, to them I would say, ‘Give us some time,’ and I think that we will prove to you that this agency can be trusted not just with my words but with our actions,” Broadway said.
The scandal surfaced after body-camera footage revealed a series of alleged lies by officers involved in the 2023 incident. This prompted a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office, resulting in the arrest of one officer and the dismissal of several others.
A grand jury concluded that the Kissimmee Police Department harbored “a culture of silence or a culture of covering up misconduct,” according to former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain.
[WATCH: State attorney’s office shares findings in Kissimmee use-of-force investigation]
Chief Broadway emphasized transparency as a cornerstone of his leadership.
The department plans to release an annual report in January 2026 detailing the number of use-of-force incidents in 2025, alongside complaints received and their resolutions.
“It will also contain the number of complaints that come into our agency as well as the disposition of those complaints; again, just being more and more transparent with our community,” he said.
[MORE: Former Kissimmee police officer pleads guilty in use-of-force case]
Among the department’s new initiatives are a police oversight board recently approved by the city commission, a “Hoops and Heroes” youth basketball camp scheduled for July, a citizens police academy starting September 1, and the launch of a new drone program.
Chief Broadway also announced plans to increase police presence downtown by creating a dedicated unit with seven-day coverage, starting Oct. 1.
“At the core of our mission, the No. 1 priority will always be keeping Kissimmee safe for every resident, business owner and visitor,” he said.
[RELATED: 3 Kissimmee police employees fired, 5 disciplined after investigation into agency integrity]