Fort Myers police chief admits he should not have helped void city employee's school zone ticket

Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields is under scrutiny after allegedly using his influence to void a speeding ticket for a city employee caught speeding in a school zone on the first day of school. Exclusive police body cam video obtained by Gulf Coast News shows Carloncia Lee, a city employee and former Fort Myers Police Department worker, being pulled over near Winkler Avenue and Challenger Boulevard for reportedly driving 12 mph over the speed limit. Lee handed her phone to the officer, who then spoke with Chief Fields. "Hi Chief, how are you?" Lee said during the call. The officer explained to Fields, "I said I don't have any discretion today, sir, when it comes to school zone violations, and she is going 12 miles an hour over the speed limit, sir." After a two-minute call with the chief, the officer informed Lee that her ticket would be voided. "All right, ma'am, I'm going to void the ticket that I originally wrote, OK? Because after speaking with the chief of police, I was asked to give you a professional courtesy," the officer said. The decision to void the $300 fine has sparked strong public reaction. "It looks like he was pressured. It looks like he wanted to do the right thing," said Fort Myers resident Kalen Green. "Just letting her go really isn't fair, especially if other people have to pay the fine since she's in a school zone," said Laura Bengul, another Fort Myers resident. "She is supposed to have consequences about that," said Arondaac Cubas, also from Fort Myers. When contacted by Gulf Coast News, Lee declined to comment, saying, "No, sir, I do not. You have a great day." Lee currently works as an aide for Councilwoman Teresa Watkins-Brown, who addressed the incident in a statement: "I do regret the situation that took place, and Mrs. Lee did not use better integrity than contacting the Chief of Police. I am grateful to God no children were hurt." Late Thursday, Fields responded and said, "I recognize that I should not have become involved. My involvement created the perception that a city employee received preferential treatment, and I understand why that has caused concern." "I'm fully cooperating with any review of this matter, and I use this experience to reinforce the standards our community rightfully expects from its police department and me as chief." Fields concluded. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.