Internal Affairs

Internal Investigation
IA-2022-015
Deputy Nicole Kovalsky #3630

Investigator: Sergeant Nikki Wagner

 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Summary

On March 10, 2022, at approximately 2:00 AM Lt. Richard McDonald spoke with North Port
Police Department, Sgt. Marshall, regarding a Charlotte County Sheriff's Office employee,
Deputy Nicole Kovalsky.

Sgt. Marshall advised Lt. McDonald that North Port Police Department arrested Deputy
Kovalsky for battery on a security guard and resisting arrest when she was trespassing inside the
new Atlanta Braves Stadium in North Port. Kovalsky had entered the secured Atlanta Braves
Baseball Stadium and was running the bases when the security guard, Hunter Glotz, attempted
to approach her but she kept walking away from him. Hunter grabbed Kovalsky and told her
she was not allowed to be in the stadium, at which time Kovalsky bit his arm and elbowed his
mouth.

North Port Police Department arrived on scene commanding Kovalsky to stop running.
Kovalsky ignored the officers' commands until the officer pointed a Taser at her, at which time
she complied and was handcuffed.

Sgt. Marshall stated Kovalsky left her mother's residence earlier, March 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
Kovalsky's mother resides in Sarasota County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction. Sarasota deputies
were looking for her as they were concerned for her wellbeing.

Sgt. Marshall had the mental health unit respond to evaluate Kovalsky, and they determined she
was not in crisis and did not meet the criteria for a Baker Act. Kovalsky was subsequently
arrested for Trespassing, Simple Battery with injury and Resisting without Violence.

On March 10, 2022, at first appearance, Judge Charles Roberts found probable cause for
Kovalsky's arrest.

Deputy Kovalsky was previously ordered to complete a fit for duty evaluation on February 24,
2022, due to an incident that occurred at the Training Division. Deputy Kovalsky refused to do
the evaluation.

On March 10, 2022, Terry Cochran and Sgt. Nikki Wagner met with Deputy Kovalsky at the
Sarasota County Jail where Deputy Kovalsky was served a Notice of Intent to Withdraw
Appointment. The Intent to Withdraw Notice provided for the ability for Deputy Kovalsky to
request a name clearing hearing by contacting the Sheriff's Administrative Assistant, Jennifer
Wireman, no later than 4:00 PM on March 14, 2022, which she did not do.

The arrest paperwork and supporting documents are attached to this report.

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 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Notification of Internal Investigation

On February 24, 2022, Deputy Kovalsky was ordered to complete a fit for duty
evaluation which she refused. In addition, on March 10, 2022, she was arrested by the North
Port Police Department for criminal charges. It was determined that Deputy Kovalsky violated
the following Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Policies and Procedures.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office General Order

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Operations Manual General Order 3.50

• G.O. 3.50 H.4.a.1 Insubordination Offenses – Failure to Comply With Orders: Compliance
with a Lawful Order of a Supervisor or Internal Affairs Investigator. Members of the Office will
promptly execute the lawful orders and instructions of a supervisor, supervisor member of the
Sheriff’s Office, or Internal Affairs Investigator and will not delay or fail to carry out such orders
or instructions.
• G.O. 3.50 H.4.b.3 Violation of Official Procedures/Directives – Failure to Contact Office
or Be Available During Administrative Leave: Members of the Office will not ignore or violate
official directives, general orders, policies, procedures, orders, or supervisors’ instructions, or fail
to properly execute the duties and responsibilities of their assigned position.
• G.O. 3.50 H.4.c.1 Violations of Law: Members of the Office will adhere to all Federal, State,
Local Laws and ordinances (including but not limited to traffic violations).

Documents

I obtained the following documents involving Deputy Kovalsky: Nort Port Police Department
reports, CAD printout, and PCA. Sarasota Sheriff's Office Baker Act report.

CONCLUSION

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 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

During this investigation, I reviewed all documents I received and researched regarding the chain
of events.
I obtained and reviewed the supporting information along with Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
General Order 3.50 H.4.a.1 (the policy governing guidelines for Insubordination Offenses-
Failure to comply with orders, General Order 3.50 H.4.b.3 Violation of Official
Procedures/Directives-Failure to contact Office or be available during administrative leave, and
General Order 350 H.4.c.1 Violation of Law)

Based on the information gathered, this investigator finds Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
General Order 3.50 H.4.a.1 (the policy governing guidelines for Insubordination Offenses-Failure
to Comply With Orders charge is sustained.

Deputy Kovalsky was ordered on February 24, 2022, to complete a fit for duty evaluation, which
she refused to do.

Based on the information gathered, this investigator finds Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
General Order 3.50 H.4.b.3 Violation of Official procedures/Directives-Failure to Contact office
or Be Available During Administrative Leave charge is sustained.

Deputy Kovalsky was not at her assigned post, which was her residence during working hours.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office attempted several times to get in touch with Deputy
Kovalsky with no avail.

Based on the information gathered, this investigator finds Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
General Order 3.50 H.4.c1 Violation of Law charge is sustained.

On March 10, 2022, Deputy Kovalsky was arrested by North Port Police Department for
trespassing, simple battery and resisting without violence.

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 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

I, the undersigned, do hereby swear, under penalty of perjury, to the best of my knowledge,
information, and belief, I have not knowingly or willfully deprived, or allowed another to deprive,
the subject of the investigation of any rights contained in ss. 112.532 and 112.533, Florida Statutes.

Sgt. Nikki Wagner #0780

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Internal Affairs Unit

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