Kissimmee has welcomed a new mayor and commissioners as the city grapples with the echoes of its law enforcement controversies. Mayor Jackie Espinosa, a long-time resident and community member, was sworn in yesterday with promises to rebuild trust between the Kissimmee Police Department and the citizens it serves. According to WESH, the inauguration comes on the heels of serious misconduct within the police force, including a noted use-of-force incident involving former officer Andrew Baseggio in 2022.
Espinosa and the new city commissioners are stepping into roles hampered by the past administration's fraught relationship with accountability. This shift in governance seems to be an attempt to critically reallocate resources and attention to mending a fractured sense of community. "We have a couple of issues we're working through. They were brought to the attention of our administration," Espinosa stated during the swearing-in ceremony, as reported by WESH.
In response to the oversight challenge, the mayor has proposed reinstating the Citizens' Review Board for police, which was previously disbanded. While recent state laws prevent civilian boards from directly investigating law enforcement officers, the newly proposed board would still be able to review and advise on police department policies and procedures. "our interim chief of police is very experienced. He will have oversight on that, as well as our city manager. And I think we'll bring in people to that board that are experienced and that understand the due process of law," Mayor Espinosa explained in an interview, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
The push for transparency and community engagement doesn't stop there. The new leadership, including Interim Police Chief Major Robert Anzueto, embraces the review board as a bridge to better serve and communicate with Kissimmee's residents. "I think we could use it as a transparency for our agency and the community that we serve," Anzueto was quoted in the FOX 35 Orlando report.
Espinosa's tenure starts amid calls for change and engagement. She aims to make the community feel safe and connected. With 33 years as a Kissimmee resident, the mayor's deep roots and understanding of the city's diversity could be crucial in her approach to these complex issues.
