KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Kissimmee Police Department officially swore in Charles Broadway as its 35th police chief on Tuesday, making him the first Black American to assume the job.

His swearing in comes after a 2024 misconduct cover-up investigation that led to a complete overhaul in leadership.

What You Need To Know

  • The City of Kissimmee swore in Charles Broadway as their 35th police chief

  • Broadway becomes the first Black American to assume this position

  • The new chief takes over after a complete overhaul in leadership following a 2024 misconduct cover-up investigation

  • Broadway says he hopes to build a new culture in the department based off of professionalism, accountability and community trust

Broadway says he hopes to build a culture based on the three pillars of professionalism, accountability and community trust.

He says he understands that the community may currently have a negative perception of the police department, but law enforcement officials are willing to take the time and work to improve it.

Broadway served 13 years as the lead man in Clermont before coming over to the Kissimmee Police Department.

He replaces Betty Holland after she resigned following a misconduct investigation the department was accused of covering up.

In 2023, officer Andrew Baseggio was accused of assaulting Sean David Kastner. Holland was accused of making statements to investigators that were inconsistent with other information the State Attorney received.

But Broadway says change is coming, and it starts within the department.

“It’s about shaping culture. It’s not about me, but it’s all on me to ensure that we have a culture here, accountability, trust, respect, honor and integrity,” explained Broadway.

He says he and his department will work to engage outside of just responding to crimes in order to build trust that may have been lost, and even outlines ways for the community to get involved.

“I want to see a Citizens Police Academy where we bring in members from the community to spend time with us to see the ins and outs of the police department to see what our men and women do on the daily basis,” Broadway said. “And see the exceptional service that they provide and the equipment we utilize to serve and protect them.”

After speaking with media, Broadway held a meet and greet at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Karen Lewin of Jamaican Cultural Connection Inc. wanted to show support for the new chief. She serves as the vice president for the organization, which helps spread Caribbean culture and gives back to the community. She shares why she feels he is capable of taking on this new role.

“Well, with his extensive experience, he’s a people person obviously, and I had the opportunity to meet him this evening and I think the community will see and experience the change that they want, that they need,” Lewin shared.

And while he knows trust is one of the easiest things to break, and the hardest to fix, Broadway believes that with time, KPD can mend its relationship with the community.

“If you give me two weeks to thirty days, I hope that I can prove to you that the men and women of this agency are committed to serving and protecting this community,” he said. “It’s not just talk, but you’ll see in our actions.”

Spectrum News 13 also asked the new police chief about the use of department resources for the 287(g) ICE task force, and he said they are still working to see how many officers will be involved but wants to ensure that all citizens know the department will serve and protect them.