Former FMPD inspector general makes case in front of Citizens Police Review Board

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Former FMPD Inspector General Donald Oswald spoke in front of the Citizens Police Review Board on Tuesday. (CREDIT: WINK News)

A board of private citizens has decided not to review an internal affairs investigation of a Fort Myers Police Department command staff member. “Our role is to investigate the citizens’ complaints.”

Instead, the Board voted to recommend Fort Myers City Council order an independent investigation into Major William Newhouse.

The Citizens Police Review Board heard the plea from Donald Oswald. He resigned from the Fort Myers Police Department on Oct. 29 after saying the department failed to adequately investigate a complaint he made against a former police official. “The citizens of Fort Myers and elected officials deserve your objective review and assessment,” the Board said.

FMPD’s former inspector general is bringing his complaint now as a private citizen. He’s now calling for an outside investigation in the Fort Myer Police Department.

The Citizens Police Review Board then takes those complaints and decides whether it investigates them itself or recommends that Fort Myers City Council does it. “It’s almost at a level that’s over our head, in my opinion,” said the Board.

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