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FDLE Probes Alleged Police Cover-Up
Officers Accused Of Falsifying Report
Published On: Nov 29 2011 05:47:52 PM EST Updated On: Dec 11 2009 04:37:38 AM ESTThe Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating an alleged cover-up that was caught on camera involving Hollywood police officers.
Three uniformed officers and two civilian employees are under investigation on accusations that they falsified a crash report to protect a fellow officer.
?I know we will do a very thorough investigation. I just want to make sure that the public is satisfied that when this is finished, there is a conclusion that I can stand firm on and I can defend. So I felt that it was the right thing to do to bring in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in and do an investigative review,? said Hollywood Police Chief Chad Wagner.
In February, a marked patrol car driven by Officer Joel Francisco rear-ended another vehicle at Sheridan Street and Interstate 95.
Several officers arrived at the scene. Video from a patrol car's dashboard cam shows Officer Dewey Pressley apparently talking to other officers about fudging the crash report to make it look like the other driver caused the crash, Local 10's Jeff Weinsier reported.
On the tape Pressley says, "I don't lie and make things up ever because it's wrong, but if I need to bend it a little to protect a cop, I'm going to. I will write the narrative out for you. I will tell you exactly how to word it so we can get him off the hook. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to word it she was in the left-hand lane. We'll do a little Walt Disney to protect the cop because it wouldn't have mattered because she was drunk anyway."
The Hollywood Police Department has had an investigation ongoing for months. The officer involved remains on paid leave.
"It is complicated. I know at face value it seems simple, but it's actually not," Wagner said.
Local 10 has learned that under the "Police Officers Bill of Rights," the investigation must be complete within 180 days, or by Jan. 26.
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