Officials: 2 officers under investigation
Two Cape Coral officers, one of whom is the son of Police Chief Rob Petrovich, have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of a joint investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and Cape Coral Police Department, officials said Tuesday.
Sgt. James O’Brien and Detective Steve Petrovich have been placed on administrative duty as the investigation continues, though charges have not been filed against the officers, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Barron declined to comment on whether the investigation is criminal in nature.
“We are not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the investigation,” she said.
The Cape Coral Police Department cannot comment on the investigation per Florida statute, Barron said, adding that ” … the (police) chief absolutely will not have any comment on this matter.”
Barron said that due to Petrovich’s relationship to the police chief, the investigation and related disciplinary action will be handled by Deputy Police Chief Jay Murphy, under the supervision of City Manager Terry Stewart.
“I cannot comment on anything concerning the investigation,” said Kurtis Grau, president of the Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33. “I can tell you that because this was not a duty-related incident that the FOP will not provide any legal representation. The FOP will represent them in any disciplinary actions within the department that may occur as a result of the investigation. We will continue to provide emotional support to these officers and their families throughout this process.”
O’Brien has been a police officer with the CCPD for 10 years and makes a base salary of $68,244 a year, according to Barron. Petrovich has worked for the department for 11 years and makes $64,084 a year.
She said the federal investigation remains under investigation.