ORLANDO -- The department-issued weapon of Orlando Police Chief Val Demings is still missing, and she is taking full responsibility for the gun theft.
The gun disappeared about a month ago, but didn’t become public until Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Demings held a press conference to talk about what happened and to discuss the police department's policy that allows cops to leave their guns in their cars overnight.
“I am the chief of police. I’ve been in law enforcement for 25 years and what I realized, having been the victim of this crime, is that I’m vulnerable just like any other citizen in this community,” said Demings. “On this particular night, even though our policy allows us to leave our vehicles, on this particular night I was expecting some overnight guests who had children. I normally do not leave my weapon in my vehicle, even though the policy permits us to do that, as long as the weapon is out of sight.”
When asked why she hadn't alert the public weeks ago, Demings said the reported the theft to the Orange County Sheriff's Office that patrols her home in an area of the unincorporated county, her department's Internal Affairs inspectors and to her boss, Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Demings said she left the weapon, a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol, in a black duffel bag that also held her gun belt, pistol, three magazines holding 45 bullets, handcuffs and nightstick. They were stolen out of her locked city-issued Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle.
Demings said she expects to be disciplined in the matter.
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