WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – An officer at the center of a video circulating on social media is no longer with the police department, officials announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, Police Chief Matthew Tracht addressed the video, which involved a traffic stop with an officer and a local resident.

According to investigators, a formal complaint was submitted to the department, kicking off an investigation into what happened.

“While the investigation is still ongoing, the individual involved is no longer employed by the City of Winter Springs,” Tracht said. “Based on the circumstances surrounding this matter, the conduct did not meet the standards and expectations I have for the officers who serve this department and our community.”

Police later confirmed to News 6 that the officer resigned.

WHAT’S IN THE VIDEO?

Kevin Finley said video from his Tesla helped clear his name after he was arrested at gunpoint by Winter Springs police outside his garage over two years ago.

Finley said the encounter happened Aug. 7, 2024, after he dropped his children off at daycare and drove home.

In body-camera footage, an officer can be heard ordering Finley to put his hands up, walk toward him and get on his knees.

Finley said he had no idea police were behind him and disputes the claim that he fled from an attempted traffic stop.

Rear camera from the Tesla catches the moment the officer going the opposite direction activates his lights and turns around, far off in the distance.

“I mean, I’m looking forward,” Finley said. “I’m looking and paying attention to what’s in front of me. That’s how you drive. You don’t drive looking backward. So I never saw him. I was just going home like normal.”

Finley was charged with reckless driving.

The case went to trial nearly two years later in July.

Finley said the judge granted an acquittal, citing video from his Tesla as key evidence.

“I never thought that that would be what this technology is used for,” he said. “The technology on the cameras on the Tesla is used for the full self-driving feature, and it has other applications, apparently. It can save you from a lying police officer.”

Finley said he received a call Tuesday from Tracht, whom he said apologized and told him the officer involved had resigned.

Finley said the ordeal upended his life and contributed to his decision to move away.

“Two years I was dragged through the judicial system, dragged through the mud, had to defend myself for two years,” he said. “I mean when I was arrested at gunpoint, that was really scaring. Staring down the barrel of a police officer’s gun who, you know, one wrong move, who knows what could’ve happened.”

Finley said he is still considering filing a lawsuit.

“Today is just kind of like the first step in some accountability in him resigning,” he said. “I think the community is a little safer now.”

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