ST. PETERSBURG -- Police Chief Anthony Holloway says he's making a change in the general orders to officers, to make it clear that they will "intervene" when they see another cop doing wrong.
Holloway announced the change after hearing from members of the community that asked why there wasn't such wording in directives to the department. He says St Petersburg has had a policy in place and it has been used to discipline officers accused of using excessive force.
"People didn't know that we were already doing some of the things they were asking for," Holloway said.
Holloway says he wants to make it clear to new and experienced officers that they were do whatever is safe to stop another cop from breaking the law. He told reporters Monday that it's important to show that "something will happen" to lawbreaking officers, to counteract any tendencies for police to protect their own from scrutiny.
The chief says penalties will vary according to the seriousness of the incident, from training to suspension to dismissal.
Regarding the ongoing shutdown of streets near City Hall protests, Holloway says it's a day by day situation. "We'll make that decision when it becomes an issue." On calls for "defunding" local police departments, the chief said that's a question for the mayor and city council.
Photo: Getty Images