What to Know
- Jason Bruder, who has spent the last 13 years with the department, has been on paid leave since a July 15th investigation into allegations.
- Bruder has been charged with nine counts of falsifying public records, a misdemeanor crime.
A longtime technician with the Miami Beach Police Department has been charged with multiple counts after he allegedly hid evidence in certain cases rather than following proper procedures.
Jason Bruder, who has spent the last 13 years with the department, has been on paid leave since a July 15th investigation into allegations that he stored certain items in a locker under his exclusive control – in some cases for months at a time.
Bruder has been charged with nine counts of falsifying public records, a misdemeanor crime.
“This a sad day for the Miami Beach Police Department. This behavior was a betrayal of trust. I am confident that our joint investigation with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has concluded appropriately,” MBPD Chief Daniel Oates said in a statement. “The employee remains on leave with pay. Now that the criminal case has concluded, we will be taking prompt administrative action.”
When Bruder was initially placed on leave in July, Miami Beach Police officials said there was no indication that any evidence was missing or that either money or narcotics was involved – adding that all cases involving Bruder for several years prior were being reviewed as a result.
"There’s no money or narcotics involved and there’s nothing missing. This is about someone who wasn’t doing their job and falsified documents saying that he was doing his job," Oates said.
The State Attorney's Office released a statement on Friday saying that there were no DNA issues with any of the items found, adding that any person charged in a case involving Bruder will have a chance to file motions in court.
"The alleged false log entries made by Crime Scene Technician Jason Bruder betrayed the trust the Miami Beach Police Department and the trust of the residents of Miami Beach. As a Crime Scene Technician, it was his job to supplement the basic criminal investigative efforts of those police officers who work to keep the community safe," commented State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "I am very proud of the hard work done my prosecutors and the Miami Beach Police Department to conduct this thorough investigation."
