Teresa Joseph

Opa-Locka Police Dispatcher Arrested for Insurance Fraud: Chief

An Opa-Locka police dispatcher who was with the department for six years is behind bars on insurance fraud charges, the police chief told NBC 6.

She wasn't an officer, but officials say Stephanie Poitevien played a key role in the department as a dispatcher.

Opa-Locka Police Chief James Dobson told NBC 6 exclusively that Poitevien had worked at the department since 2011, but several months ago, he said the department got word from an anonymous tipster that Poitevien was allegedly involved in illegal activity.

"Through the Miami State Attorney’s Office and my internal affair investigator, the case came to fruition. She was arrested and booked in TGK," said Chief James Dobson.

Poitevien was arrested last week and charged with insurance fraud, which is a third degree felony.

"She was being paid from an insurance company," said Chief Dobson. The chief added that Poitevien, who had been on administrative leave without pay, was fired this week by the City of Opa-Locka.

NBC 6’s Michael Spears stopped by the home address listed on her arrest warrant. The woman who answered the door said Poitevien is a tenant there and wasn't home.

"We hold anyone that works inside the police department to even a higher standard so it's a tough decision but it's the right decision to be made," explained Chief Dobson. Opa-Locka Police say no one at the department, officer or not, is above the law.

"We want everyone to know that we are transparent and we are with the letter of the law so there's no bending the laws in any way here," said Chief Dobson.

Poitevien has since been released from jail. There is no word yet on a trial date.

NBC 6 reached out to her attorney for an interview and he had "no comment.”

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