9 Investigates: OPD sergeant relieved of duty in holding cell incident

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police sergeant who is under internal investigation after Channel 9 exposed inconsistencies in statements he made while under oath about a holding cell incident has had his gun, badge and police powers taken from him.
 
The incident at Orlando Police Department headquarters in which an officer is seen, on video, striking a handcuffed man in the stomach with his knee has led to criminal charges against another OPD officer.
 
OPD video from a holding cell shows that almost as soon as Orlando police Sgt. Michael Faulkner walked in to the holding cell, prisoner Robert Liese asked him for medical attention.
 
"Can I have medical, medical attention, please?" Liese asked Faulkner.
 
"What do you need medical attention for?" Faulkner asked.

Raw: Man kneed by OPD officer details incident to WFTV

Raw: Prisoner kneed by OPD officer (Full version)

Liese's lawyer said his client was hurting because he was bleeding internally from a knee strike to the gut from Officer Peter Delio. Delio is charged with felony battery in the incident that sent Liese to the hospital.
 
Faulkner told OPD internal affairs investigators that he was in the cell to investigate Delio's use of force and that Liese had refused medical treatment.
 
But Faulkner did not ask Liese about any force used. He did ask about a window in the cell,.
 
"What happened to my window?" Faulkner asked Liese.
 
Liese said he head-butted the cell window because he was angry that earlier Delio had kicked  him to get him into the patrol car. Liese said a leg injury was slowing him down.
 
"That's how Orlando does it, right?" Liese is heard saying on the video.
 
Liese asked for medical attention more than 20 more times before paramedics were called.
 
He was taken to a hospital, where his spleen had to be removed. He is suing OPD for more than $75,000.
 
Liese's attorney said he is now filing a claim against Faulkner, as well as Delio. He said if it can be proved that his client's spleen could have been saved with prompt medical treatment, the department could be liable for more money.

Previous Stories:

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Orlando officer bonds out of jail after arrest in excessive force case

9 Investigates: Documents shed light on OPD officer charged in kneeing of suspect

9 Investigates inconsistencies in OPD excessive-force investigation

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