Halpin was seen on camera tossing food to an individual who had been transported to the Sarasota County Jail. The police department placed him on administrative leave when video footage of the incident became public on July 27, and SPD staff planned to interview Halpin regarding his role in the incident at 1 p.m. today. According to a release by Sarasota P.D., Andrew Halpin resigned from his position as an officer with the City of Sarasota on Tuesday afternoon.
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A southwest Florida police officer accused of tossing food to a handcuffed man at a jail and then allowing the man to eat the food off the floor has resigned.
“I hereby resign for personal reasons effective immediately”, Halpin wrote in a letter. The video first exhibits Halpin tossing meals on the suspect’s mouth.
In a statement police chief Bernadette DiPino described his actions as unprofessional, and that Halpin had not told them exactly what happened from his side before leaving his job. The police department kicked off an internal affairs investigation that day.
Prisoner advocates are calling for the department to forward its investigation to the state attorney’s office for potential criminal charges, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.
Chief Bernadette DiPino was made aware of a video involving Halpin on July 27. I expect our Officers to uphold the highest levels of ethical behavior and treat all citizens with dignity and respect while serving our community. The full investigation is expected to be completed by Wednesday.
Police say he was intoxicated during his arrest, and ate some of the peanuts off the floor when Halpin kicked them closer to him.
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‘We will continue to build and maintain trust with our citizens and community partners.’.
