VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of stealing money from suspects.
The sheriff’s office said multiple allegations have surfaced about Deputy John Braman, 33, taking money from defendants during DUI arrests.
The sheriff is not releasing any further information on the investigation. However, he did release this video: https://t.co/y1JhVnhc59
— Mike Springer WFTV (@mspringerwftv) January 27, 2017
Braman was placed on administrative leave with pay on Wednesday.
He’s been with the sheriff’s office since 2007 and was on road patrol before he was placed on leave.
“Integrity is the cornerstone of any law enforcement officer’s career. Once you lose your integrity, you’ve lost your ability to be an effective law enforcement officer,” said Sheriff Mike Chitwood in a statement released on YouTube.
Chitwood is now calling for his deputies to always have their body cameras on.
He said Braman would turn off his camera when he allegedly stole money from people’s wallets during an arrest.
Chitwood now wants to make sure those cameras are rolling for the entire call.
“The whole purpose of the body camera is to protect the officer, protect the community and show transparency,” said Chitwood.
The current policy allows deputies to turn off their cameras if they are doing what’s deemed as a police tactic, but a police tactic isn’t clearly defined by the department.
Chitwood he would need union approval before any overhaul could happen.
FDLE is investigating in conjunction with the state attorney’s office.
The sheriff’s office is conducting its own investigation.
More on the shooting: Volusia deputies testify against man who shot them
Watch Sheriff Chitwood's statement:
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