Orlando Officer Accused of Fraudulent Schemes Against Vendors

News Summary

Orlando police officer Oscar Polanco faces serious charges including fraud and grand theft for allegedly swindling over $14,000 from vendors. Investigations revealed that he falsely billed for extra-duty shifts he never worked, raising significant concerns about oversight within the police department. The incident highlights the ongoing issues of trust in law enforcement.

Orlando Cop in Hot Water for Allegedly Scheming Vendors

Orlando is buzzing with news today as a local police officer, Oscar Polanco, has recently found himself in a bit of a pickle. This 28-year-old officer turned himself in on March 5, 2025, after he was hit with some serious allegations of fraud. Yes, you heard that right—a cop is now facing charges for allegedly swindling money from vendors.

A Look at the Charges

Polanco isn’t just facing any old charges. He’s up against a scheme to defraud and grand theft involving a hefty sum of over $10,000, according to reports from the Orange County Clerk of Court. That’s a lot of dough! Authorities allege he defrauded vendors by billing them for extra-duty shifts that he simply never worked. It sounds like a plot twist straight out of a crime drama, doesn’t it?

How the Scheme Unfolded

The investigation revealed that between May 13, 2024, and July 27, 2024, Polanco used a service called RollKall, which is supposed to help manage extra-duty assignments, to sign up for a whopping 76 jobs. But hold on! Of those 76 gigs, a deep dive into the data showed that Polanco had clock-ins and clock-outs that suspiciously lined up with locations in close proximity to his own home—50 times, to be precise. Talk about a red flag!

The Investigative Findings

Law enforcement was particularly interested in a subset of 40 extra-duty assignments that stretched from May 17, 2024, to July 21, 2024. What the investigators found was eye-opening: Polanco failed to clock in and out for 38 out of those 40 assignments. In fact, he didn’t log into his department computer at all, nor did he activate his radio or body-worn camera during any of those shifts. Now, that raises some eyebrows, doesn’t it?

The Alleged Amount of Money in Question

If you’re wondering just how much money is on the line, Polanco allegedly made fraudulent claims totaling $14,853.17 for those extra-duty assignments. That amount could really make a dent in a lot of budgets! Even the Orlando Police Department (OPD) received about $926.25 in fees from various vendors for the shifts billed by Polanco, which might now need to be refunded.

The Bigger Picture

It’s worth noting that Polanco started his journey with the Orlando Police Department back in 2022, bringing with him prior law enforcement experience from another agency. But this incident doesn’t paint a pretty picture for the department. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time an officer from the Orlando Police Department has landed in jail for similar fraud-related charges in recent months. This pattern could raise questions about the oversight and management of police departments in the area.

Next Steps for Polanco

Following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, Polanco took the step to turn himself in. No one knows how this unfolding saga will end, but it serves as a reminder that no one is above the law—especially not those sworn to uphold it.

As this story develops, Orlando residents are watching closely. Will Polanco face justice for his alleged actions? And what will this mean for the trust in local law enforcement? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the community is keeping a vigilant eye on the situation.

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Additional Resources

• WFTV – Orlando Police Officer Arrested on Fraud Charges
• Hoodline – Orlando Police Officer Charged with Fraud
• Fox 35 Orlando – Officer Polanco Charged
• West Orlando News – Florida Defendants Charged with Fraud
• Orlando Sentinel – State Finding Fraud in Amendment 4 Petitions