Haines City, FL — A longtime officer and leader within the Haines City Police Department has been arrested by federal authorities in connection with an investigation led by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General.
Captain Gabriel Garcia, who has served the department since November 5, 2007, was taken into federal custody on Thursday. The arrest stems from an ongoing federal probe involving the VA, though the specific details of the charges have not yet been released to the public.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General provided a copy of the indictment to the city within the last hour. Officials say they are actively reviewing the document but have not yet commented on the specific allegations.enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law with honor and integrity. When someone in a position of leadership betrays that oath, it undermines public trust and discredits the profession,” the city said in a statement.
Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood called the incident a direct betrayal of the badge.
“The conduct that led to this arrest is a betrayal of the badge and everything this department stands for,” said Chief Hopwood. “Leadership in law enforcement carries a greater burden of responsibility, and when that trust is broken, it damages the profession and the community. We will not tolerate dishonor in our ranks and will continue holding ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.”
Officials say the department is fully cooperating with federal investigators and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and public accountability.
As of now, all inquiries related to the case are being directed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, which is leading the investigation.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to iSkyNews.com for the latest updates.
.jpg)
0 Comments