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NAPLES, Fla.- A Naples Police Officer is under investigation after reportedly hitting a pedestrian with his patrol cruiser.

The accident happened around noon on Monday.

Police Chief Tom Weschler spoke with Fox 4 on Friday. He tells us Officer Ryan Schickfus has been with the department for 15 years.

"Do you think when people see this story they might judge your officers?"
"I hope not. This is one action by one individual and our officers do a great job," said Weschler.

The Police Department's Internal Affairs is now investigating Schickfus after the traffic accident. The accident happened on U.S. 41 and 10th Street South. The pedestrian was somewhere in the crosswalk. The officer was trying to make a right hand turn.

Dash cam video isn't available since it's being reviewed, but the Collier County Sheriff's Office determined Schickfus was at fault for failing to yield for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

"We asked the Collier County Sheriff's Office to come in so we weren't investigating our own," said Chief Weschler.

This isn't the first time this officer has been under the microscope. In May of 2012, he responded to an accident in downtown Naples where the driver hit 2 cars and a pedestrian. It's clear from the dash cam video, she was on medication and had been drinking.

Now officer Schickfus never arrested her and the chief says he was upset when he watched the video and he used poor judgment.

"He issued her a citation and allowed her to drive away from the scene," said Chief Weschler.

The chief tells Fox after the incident, they placed him on unpaid leave for 10 days.
 

"Do you think that was strong enough," I asked.

"I do, I do. We have to go through progressive discipline," said Chief Weschler.