In a revelation that has brought discord within the ranks of the Longwood Police Department, it has been reported that Cpl. Virgel Quintal resigned from his position amid an administrative investigation, circumstances that draw attention to the processes in place when things go awry behind the badge. In late May, a response to a family disturbance led to the involuntary examination of a 17-year-old boy under the Baker Act, as reported by ClickOrlando.
Quintal, who had been with the department since 2018, was initially suspended with pay following the incident. An internal review revealed possible departmental policy infractions, but the precise nature of these potential violations remains undisclosed. The administrative investigation into his actions, however, continues even after his resignation, according to officials.
While no external complaints were filed regarding the May intervention with the teen, it was an internal system of checks that brought the potential issues to light, as mentioned in a statement obtained by WESH. "However, in a proactive internal review process, it was disclosed there were possibly violations of departmental policy by an officer," the news release states, identifying the officer in question as Quintal, and noting his suspension with pay pending a thorough administrative investigation, which unfortunately did not conclude due to Quintal's resignation.
