Photo for Headline Surfer / Sanford cop Adam Feldman is shown with Police Chief Cecil Smith at his swearing in ceremony in mid-2017. Feldman was arrested early New Year's on DUI charges by Lake Mary cops.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
SANFORD, Fla. -- A Sanford cop has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of a criminal and administrative Investigation into his New Year's arrest by Lake Mary police who charged him with driving under the influence and causing property damage.
Adam Feldman has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal charges against him as well as an internal affairs investigation.
During the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 1, 2020, the Sanford Police Department was notified by Lake Mary police that Feldman had been arrested on charges of for DUI and causing property damage behind the wheel of his personal vehicle described as a yellow Jeep.
"The incident surrounding the arrest of Police Officer Adam Feldman occurred while he was off duty," Sanford Police spokesman Ronny Neal said in an email alert. As this is a criminal matter, all questions related to the arrest and criminal investigation will be directed to the Lake Mary Police Department and State Attorney’s Office."
Feldman refused to submit to a breathalyzer test to measure blood alcohol content and he he refused to take part in a field sobriety exercise on scene. Where that DUI stop occurred or the extent of property damage allegedly caused by the Sanford cop was not included in in the press release. Headline Surfer's attempts to get additional information from Lake Mary police to the State Attorney's Office were fruitless last night.
Headline Surfer will ask Lake Mary police on Thursday to release a copy of body cam surveillance by the arresting officer.
Feldman, who bonded out of jail earlier in the day Wednesday could not be reached for comment. He had been relieved of duty and placed on unpaid Administrative leave pending the outcome of the Sanford PD's Criminal and Administrative/Professional Standards Investigation. Feldman was hired as a cop by the Sanford police force on June 3, 2017.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith was quoted in the press release as follows: "Officer Adam Feldman has been relieved of duty pending the results of the criminal and administrative investigation. We hold our officers, regardless of rank, to the highest standards of conduct and ethics. Although this is an ongoing investigation, it is important that we remain as transparent in the process as possible. It is important for the purposes of a sound investigation that all policy and protocol be followed. We ask for the community's support and patience as we conduct this investigation.”