Experts weigh in on traffic incident involving Orlando commissioner

A traffic incident involving Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose has raised questions about her behavior, her decision to call Chief of Police Eric Smith during the encounter, and whether she used her official position as an elected leader to try to influence the outcome. Florida law prohibits public officials in all elected and most appointed positions from using that position to gain favors, gifts, or other considerations. After reviewing our earlier WESH 2 News report, one expert, the University of Central Florida’s Dr. Aubrey Jewett, believes Rose did not cross that line.“In my opinion, I don’t think she broke a Florida law,” he said. The political science professor referenced the Florida Standards of Conduct For Public Officers under Florida Statute 112.313. It prohibits solicitation or acceptance of gifts and favors, and misuse of public position, to secure a special privilege, benefit or exemption.But Jewett also tells WESH 2 News, the public likely views Rose’s actions with suspicion, given the multiple times during the traffic incident in which she told the ticketing officer she was a “Commissioner.”“I think probably the average resident, average constituent would say that that part was unnecessary, particularly if you do it multiple times. And most of us don’t have the chief of police’s number on speed dial,” Jewett said. Rose pulled over next to some traffic cones while she and tens of thousands of others were exiting Camping World Stadium following the Dec. 31 “Cheez-It” Bowl college football game. On body camera video obtained by WESH 2 News, you can see and hear the Commissioner tell Smith on the phone while sitting in the driver’s seat, “He’s writing me a ticket. What’s your name, officer?” A moment later, she says, “I’m a Commissioner.” Rose objected to being directed onto the 408 toll road because she lives less than a mile away in the Parramore neighborhood, and represents that part of the city in District 5. She exchanged words with the ticketing officer, as follows: “You’re impeding the flow of traffic, ma’am. I need you to move your vehicle. The road is blocked right there,” the officer said.”Do you hear how aggressive he’s getting, Chief? I’m the Commissioner. I live in Parramore. You can’t tell me I can’t go home,” Rose said. She repeatedly mentioned that she’s a Commissioner. After speaking to a supervisor, she was told to leave and was later issued a citation. “What isn’t okay is to tax someone to go home,” said Rose in an exclusive one-on-one interview with WESH 2 News on Sunday. Rose said no traffic pattern should force people onto a toll road. And she denied she was attempting to avoid a ticket by calling the Chief. “That’s far from the truth. And what you will hear in one segment, it says, I’m the Commissioner, and I’m going to get this policy fixed so no other resident has to go through this. At no point was I aggressive. At no point was I demanding.” During Monday’s city council meeting, Rose made no mention of the traffic incident, her 164 fine, her promise to fight the citation in court, or her commitment to work with the traffic safety team to change traffic patterns for large events.Smith has declined to comment.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

A traffic incident involving Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose has raised questions about her behavior, her decision to call Chief of Police Eric Smith during the encounter, and whether she used her official position as an elected leader to try to influence the outcome.

Florida law prohibits public officials in all elected and most appointed positions from using that position to gain favors, gifts, or other considerations.

After reviewing our earlier WESH 2 News report, one expert, the University of Central Florida’s Dr. Aubrey Jewett, believes Rose did not cross that line.

“In my opinion, I don’t think she broke a Florida law,” he said.

The political science professor referenced the Florida Standards of Conduct For Public Officers under Florida Statute 112.313. It prohibits solicitation or acceptance of gifts and favors, and misuse of public position, to secure a special privilege, benefit or exemption.

But Jewett also tells WESH 2 News, the public likely views Rose’s actions with suspicion, given the multiple times during the traffic incident in which she told the ticketing officer she was a “Commissioner.”

“I think probably the average resident, average constituent would say that that part was unnecessary, particularly if you do it multiple times. And most of us don’t have the chief of police’s number on speed dial,” Jewett said.

Rose pulled over next to some traffic cones while she and tens of thousands of others were exiting Camping World Stadium following the Dec. 31 “Cheez-It” Bowl college football game.

On body camera video obtained by WESH 2 News, you can see and hear the Commissioner tell Smith on the phone while sitting in the driver’s seat, “He’s writing me a ticket. What’s your name, officer?” A moment later, she says, “I’m a Commissioner.”

Rose objected to being directed onto the 408 toll road because she lives less than a mile away in the Parramore neighborhood, and represents that part of the city in District 5.

She exchanged words with the ticketing officer, as follows:

“You’re impeding the flow of traffic, ma’am. I need you to move your vehicle. The road is blocked right there,” the officer said.

“Do you hear how aggressive he’s getting, Chief? I’m the Commissioner. I live in Parramore. You can’t tell me I can’t go home,” Rose said.

She repeatedly mentioned that she’s a Commissioner. After speaking to a supervisor, she was told to leave and was later issued a citation.

“What isn’t okay is to tax someone to go home,” said Rose in an exclusive one-on-one interview with WESH 2 News on Sunday.

Rose said no traffic pattern should force people onto a toll road.

And she denied she was attempting to avoid a ticket by calling the Chief.

“That’s far from the truth. And what you will hear in one segment, it says, I’m the Commissioner, and I’m going to get this policy fixed so no other resident has to go through this. At no point was I aggressive. At no point was I demanding.”

During Monday’s city council meeting, Rose made no mention of the traffic incident, her 164 fine, her promise to fight the citation in court, or her commitment to work with the traffic safety team to change traffic patterns for large events.

Smith has declined to comment.