PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A Port St. Lucie police officer resigned while under internal investigation after authorities determined he left the scene of a parked vehicle without conducting a welfare check on the person inside, who was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to an internal affairs report cited by CBS12, former Officer Mathew Brown, 23, ultimately received sustained administrative findings for neglect of duty and inefficiency.
The incident occurred during the early-morning hours of March 21, 2026, outside the Treasure Coast Church of God Worship Center in Port St. Lucie.
Surveillance Video Documented Officer’s Initial Contact
According to the internal affairs investigation, surveillance video showed Brown pulling his patrol vehicle behind a dark blue Porsche at approximately 1:47 a.m.
Investigators reported that Brown illuminated the Porsche with his patrol vehicle’s lights, conducted a license plate check and approached the passenger side of the vehicle.
After looking through the window, however, Brown returned to his patrol vehicle and left the area.
According to the internal affairs findings, Brown did not notify dispatch about the encounter, conduct a welfare check or otherwise report what he had observed.
Approximately 15 minutes later, at 2:02 a.m., another Port St. Lucie officer reportedly stopped to investigate the same vehicle.
That officer discovered a man dead inside the Porsche from a gunshot wound, with a handgun on his lap, according to CBS12’s account of the investigation.
Paramedics subsequently confirmed the man was deceased, and investigators determined the death was a suicide.
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Brown Returned to Scene as Backup
Brown was later dispatched back to the location as a backup officer.
According to body-worn camera footage described in the internal affairs investigation, Brown told the responding officer that he had previously driven past the Porsche but “didn’t see anyone in it.”
The investigation also examined a subsequent interaction captured on officers’ body-worn cameras.
According to the report, Brown told the other officer to “go blue,” after which the audio on both officers’ cameras was muted for approximately 32 seconds.
The publicly reported information does not establish what was discussed during that muted portion of the recordings.
Investigators Examined Tire Tracks Near Porsche
During the investigation at the scene, a supervisor reportedly noticed fresh tire tracks in muddy grass immediately adjacent to the Porsche.
According to the internal affairs findings, the tracks were associated with Brown’s patrol SUV from his earlier visit to the location.
Investigators reported that Brown did not disclose at that time that his patrol vehicle had created the tracks.
The internal affairs investigation ultimately concluded that Brown failed to adequately investigate the suspicious vehicle, conduct an appropriate welfare check, report his observations or provide assistance to the occupant.
Police Chief Says He Was ‘Shocked’ by Findings
Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk expressed strong concerns about Brown’s actions during an interview with CBS12.
“I was shocked. Very disappointed. Very frustrated and just seeking for some understanding because I can’t fathom how a police officer would respond to a situation the way he did,” Niemczyk said.
The chief emphasized that the conduct identified in the investigation did not represent what the department expects from its officers.
“This is not normal common behavior by a police officer,” Niemczyk told CBS12. “They have a right to expect police officers to provide all due care for human life and dignity. And that did not happen in this case. We’re very disappointed.”
Brown Resigned Before Investigation Was Completed
According to the reported administrative timeline, Brown submitted his resignation on April 2 while the internal affairs investigation remained underway.
His departure was subsequently accepted by the department, with records identifying him as having resigned while under investigation. CBS12 reported Brown’s resignation date as April 17, 2026.
Because Brown left the department before the investigation was completed, Niemczyk said investigators were unable to conduct a formal administrative interview with him regarding his actions.
“He opted to resign and, you know, prior to the investigation being completed. So, we never had the opportunity to interview him on the record and get his explanation for his behavior. So, it’s kind of unsolved in my mind,” Niemczyk said.
As a result, the publicly available reporting does not include Brown’s formal explanation for why he initially approached the Porsche and then left without reporting the encounter.
Internal Affairs Sustained Two Findings
The Port St. Lucie Police Department’s Internal Affairs investigation was formally completed on June 24, according to CBS12.
Investigators sustained findings against Brown for:
- Neglect of duty
- Inefficiency
His personnel record was reportedly classified as “resigned under investigation.”
A sustained administrative finding means investigators determined sufficient evidence existed to support the allegation under the department’s internal investigative process. It is separate from a criminal conviction or finding of criminal liability.
Two other Port St. Lucie officers whose actions were reviewed in connection with the incident were cleared of wrongdoing, according to the reported internal affairs findings.
No Public Explanation From Brown
Because Brown resigned before investigators conducted his formal internal affairs interview, the investigation closed without an on-the-record administrative explanation from him regarding several issues identified by investigators.
Those issues included:
- Why he left after approaching and looking into the Porsche.
- Why the encounter was not reported to dispatch.
- Why he initially stated that he had not seen anyone inside the vehicle.
- The substance of the approximately 32-second muted body-camera conversation.
- Why he did not identify the tire tracks beside the Porsche as having been created by his patrol vehicle.
The absence of an administrative interview means no conclusion should be drawn about Brown’s explanation or intent beyond the conduct and findings documented by investigators.
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Current Status
As of the completion of the internal affairs investigation:
- Mathew Brown is no longer employed as a Port St. Lucie police officer.
- His departure is recorded as a resignation while under investigation.
- Internal Affairs sustained findings of neglect of duty and inefficiency.
- Two other officers reviewed in connection with the incident were cleared of wrongdoing.
- The man’s death was ruled a suicide, according to investigators.
No information provided in the publicly reported investigation indicates that Brown was criminally charged in connection with the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the March 21 incident?
According to investigators, Brown encountered a parked Porsche at approximately 1:47 a.m., checked its license plate and approached the passenger side. Investigators determined that he then left without conducting a sufficient welfare check or notifying dispatch. Another officer arrived approximately 15 minutes later and discovered a man dead inside the vehicle.
What did Internal Affairs find?
The investigation sustained administrative allegations of neglect of duty and inefficiency against Brown.
Did Brown give investigators an explanation?
Not through a completed formal internal affairs interview. Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said Brown resigned before investigators had the opportunity to interview him on the record.
Why were the officers’ body cameras muted?
According to the investigation, Brown told another officer to “go blue,” and the audio from both cameras was muted for approximately 32 seconds. The publicly reported information does not establish what was said during that period.
Was Brown fired?
No. According to the reported timeline, Brown submitted his resignation while the internal investigation was still pending. His record was subsequently designated as “resigned under investigation.”
Were any other officers disciplined?
According to the internal affairs findings reported by CBS12, two other responding officers were reviewed and cleared of wrongdoing.
Was Brown criminally charged?
No criminal charge against Brown has been identified in the information publicly reported regarding this internal affairs investigation.
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