Police lieutenant accused of battery resigns from position

A Sanford police lieutenant accused of domestic violence battery officially resigned from his position this week after more than a month on administrative leave.
Lt. Joseph Santiago was arrested the morning of April 2 after his girlfriend said he punched her in the face. The altercation began in Daytona Beach where the couple had been out drinking and the woman claimed he head-butted her during an argument.
After they returned home to Seminole County, Santiago’s girlfriend said he was drunk and following an argument he hit her in the nose. Knowing police were on the way, Santiago left the scene and eventually met up with police in Lake Mary.
He was arrested by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, charged with domestic violence battery and bonded out the following morning.
At the time Santiago was placed on administrative leave with pay. Police said that status was changed to unpaid April 9.
On Tuesday Santiago gave Sanford Police his resignation and also relinquished his Law Enforcement Certificate, meaning he will no longer be able to serve as a police officer.
Police said at the time of his resignation there were two open and unrelated investigations for previous work deficiencies, which are now considered closed due to his resignation.
Chief Cecil Smith said, “Reports of this nature are taken very seriously by this department and they are addressed and investigated immediately. We hold our officers to a higher standard of conduct, and we do not view Santiago’s off-duty actions as a reflection of the behavior and conduct of the officers of this department.”

- Rachel Delinski, Herald Publisher/Editor, RDelinski@MySanfordHerald.com