Records reveal officers under investigation have good performance reviews

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 9/19/09

Records indicate that two Cape Coral officers who are the subject of a federal investigation have excelled in their duties with the Cape Coral Police Department.

The U.S. Secret Service and Cape Coral Police Department are conducting a joint investigation involving Sgt. James O'Brien and Detective Steve Petrovich, the son of Police Chief Rob Petrovich. The two have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

No charges have been filed.

Cape Coral Police Department officials have declined to speak on the nature of the investigation, citing regulations preventing their comment.

According to his personnel file, O'Brien became a sergeant with the Special Operations Unit in 2006, and maintained excellent or good markings throughout his career.

O'Brien has worked with the Cape Coral Police Department for 10 years and makes an annual salary of $68,244.

Regarding O'Brien's leadership ability, a superior officer wrote that O'Brien "shows dynamic leadership qualities, he also exhibits confidence and assurance."

The superior said of O'Brien that he "doesn't shy away from making difficult decisions both administratively and in street situations. Sgt. O'Brien will evaluate his choices before deciding a course of action."

O'Brien is experienced as a member of the SWAT Team, Mounted Patrol and Honor Guard, records show.

One citizen, whose house was burglarized and whose car was stolen on Christmas, commended the efforts of O'Brien and several others in apprehending those responsible.

"Because of this, two suspects were arrested and about one third of our property was recovered as well as our car," the citizen wrote. "It is very comforting to know that the Cape Coral Police Department were there for us in our time of need."

Petrovich, a detective with the Property and Financial Crimes section, has worked with the department for 11 years and makes an annual salary of $64,084.

Petrovich has worked as a representative of the Department to the State Attorney's Office and also as a sergeant with the Vice Intelligence and Narcotics Unit, among other assignments.

In 2005 a superior remarked that Petrovich was "the glue that has held the VIN Unit together."
In his personnel file, Petrovich was referred to as reliable, showing a strong interest in professional development and innovative when working with limited resources.

Petrovich also has mostly good and excellent ratings throughout his career with CCPD.

Records show that in 2002, Petrovich searched a truck which he had stopped due to an equipment violation, and issued the driver a warning. However, upon searching the truck Petrovich discovered hundreds of pornographic pictures of children, along with 22 computer disks and a number of pornographic magazines which were seized. The driver was subsequently arrested.

A superior nominated Petrovich for officer of the month, stating "...a possibly dangerous suspect... was removed from the streets making the city of Cape Coral a safer place for families to live."

Both O'Brien and Petrovich are members of the Lodge 33 Fraternal Order of Police. However, since the nature of the investigation is not duty-related, the FOP cannot legally represent the officers, said the organization's president, Kurtis Grau.

"We will continue to provide emotional support to these officers and their families throughout this process," Grau said earlier this week.

Petrovich, O'Brien and his wife Lea are vice president, president and secretary, respectively, of a company called Tactical Protection & Investigation, Inc. According to the company's Web site, they offer courses for concealed weapons permits.

Officials: 2 officers under investigation; One is a detective, son of police chief in Cape

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 9/16/09

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.
 

 

Cape police unveil statue at new headquarters

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 9/12/09

"For all who have faithfully served, some at the cost of your lives, you will not be forgotten for serving, sacrificing, and willing to put yourself on the line everyday, so shall you be remembered."

So states a plaque behind the freshly unveiled statue, "The Protector," at the front entrance of the new Cape Coral Police Headquarters.

The 700-pound bronze Cape Coral officer designed by Brodin Studios looks down to a small boy and holds his hand, his service weapon holstered beneath his outreached arm. The statue overlooks a small courtyard.

Officials unveiled the statue Friday with flag at half-mast in honor of Sept. 11.

"It encapsulates what our Police Department is here for," Police Chief Rob Petrovich said of the statue.
"I think that's the dot on the eye, the cross on the 't.'

"It was a long journey," he said of the new building, into which most of the department's staff and equipment has been moved. "There were a lot of years of ups and downs."

In recognition of Sept. 11, Petrovich told a crowd of onlookers, "I can't think of a better day to unveil this statue."

The chief expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department, and also to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Who knows what that next call's going to be?" he said to CCPD employees. "But I know you guys are ready for whatever that next call will be."

Cape Coral Mayor Jim Burch said of Sept. 11, "It was the first sign on our shores that we are vulnerable. We should all count our blessings.

"We should never forget those that served," Burch said.

The $50,000 statue was budgeted into the original cost of the building-about $100,000- to meet non-residential architectural design standards. Other design items included, to meet that standard, include a lake fountain system, a building clock and a soon-to-be completed outdoor seating area.

The black granite base of "The Protector" and wall panels, at a value of approximately $5,000, were donated in part by Coral Ridge Cemetery and Dignity Memorial.

"We hold the highest regards for the men and women who protect us every day," said Dan Martinez, a representative of Coral Ridge Cemetery. "It is our honor to donate this memorial."

Special assignment; Police officers pose for fund-raising calendar

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/29/09

Cape Coral police officers are taking off their shirts to help a member of their family.

It sounds strange, but that's the idea behind a 2010 calendar featuring musclebound male officers in the Cape Coral Police Department, including SWAT and motorcycle patrolmen, set to be released to the public this October.

About 1,000 calendars featuring pictures taken by Nocera Photo-graphic will sell for $10 each, mimicking the fund-raising efforts of previous Cape Coral SWAT Team and Fire Department calendars. The money raised will be donated to the family of motorcycle officer Damien Garcia, who was critically injured in a crash June 2.

Garcia continues his paced recovery in a Miami hospital.

"Damien's trudging along and he's still here with us and he's fighting," said motorcycle officer Ray Schilke III, who posed for the calendar Friday at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. "He's making positive steps every day. I'm hearing that he's moving his fingers, he's counting, he's taking steps.

Schilke said the doctors weren't sure Garcia would make it through the night after he collided with an SUV on Cultural Park Boulevard, but Garcia's recovery has been steadfast.

"We are very confident that he's going to pull through, but it's going to be a very very long process," Schilke said. "He might need a nurse by his side for an extended period of time, constant care, until he can figure things out. He might need to go to a special rehab. We don't know what he's going to need because, fortunately, this is the first time this has happened to anyone in our family. We want to raise as much money as we can. We don't want finances to be the reason he can't get the full potential rehabilitation he deserves."

Schilke considers Garcia his brother.

"He's a motor officer and so am I, and I know that anybody out there would do this for a family member of theirs," he said. "It's no different for us."

Officers have to diet and work out on a strict regimen to prepare for the calendar shoots, Schilke said.

"I'm a very short guy and I've never really been in that great of shape, so this has definitely been a little bit different for me," he said. "I'm in the best shape of my life. For me, I'm very happy with the results I got. I worked really hard, I ate real good and I'm pretty happy with it."

Schilke was in the Army prior to joining the police department, and understands the value of fitness.

"To me, physical fitness is very important to doing your job. On the bike I sweat probably a gallon a day," he said.

Several Cape Coral companies have donated to the project, including Barbara Watts of Century 21 Realty.

"As soon as the name Damien Garcia came up, nobody even batted an eye, they said sign me up, what do you need from us, we're going to help you out," he said. "It makes me proud to serve this city just because even in these hard times everybody stood up to help a member of our city."

Schilke said he felt especially indebted to Watts, who offered to pay for the printing.

"I just want to go find her and give her a huge hug," he said.

Schilke hopes he'll be featured for June. "That's when my wife's birthday is," he said.

Cherilyn Nocera has photographed several officers for the calendar, including Schilke and others at the Yacht Club. Nocera will take a group photograph at the new Cape Coral Police Headquarters Saturday, in memory of Sept. 11. She is donating her time to the calendar shoot.

"They've been dieting for months and months now so it makes it very difficult for them to be comfortable in front of the camera," Nocera said. "They have to hold their muscles tight, they haven't eaten yet this morning or drank any water."

Nocera also shot the calendars for the SWAT Team and Fire Department free of charge, and currently is offering free pet photos for donations of cat and dog food to the Humane Society.

"My business has done so well in this county for the past 20 years," she said. "It's just a feeling of wanting to give back."

After Schilke posed shirtless against his motorcycle, propped on a sidewalk with the palms and Caloosahatchee behind him, he guzzled his Gatorade and looked forward to eating buffalo wings later in the evening.

"It's the only thing on my mind," he said.