Where Is Detective Jeff Payne Now? The Shocking Current Status Of Two Controversial Figures
The name "Detective Jeff Payne" immediately conjures up two very different, high-profile stories in American law enforcement, leading to significant confusion and an intense public curiosity about his current whereabouts. As of late 2025, the answer to “where is Detective Jeff Payne now?” is not a single location but a tale of two men—one who faced public firing after a viral incident and another who continues a distinguished career in academic policing and major investigations.
The individual most people search for is the former Salt Lake City detective whose career ended in controversy, while another, a highly credentialed Deputy Sheriff in Florida, is often mistakenly linked to the same or other high-profile cases. This article provides the most up-to-date information on both men, detailing their current professional status and the enduring legacies of the cases they became known for.
A Tale of Two Detectives: Complete Profile Overview
The name "Detective Jeff Payne" is a point of ambiguity in the world of true crime and law enforcement news. To fully answer the question of his current status, it is essential to distinguish between the two most prominent figures who share this name or a close variation.
Detective Jeff Payne (Salt Lake City Police Department)
- Primary Association: Viral arrest of nurse Alex Wubbels at the University of Utah Hospital.
- Former Role: Detective with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD).
- Service History: A 27-year veteran of the police force.
- Termination: Fired by SLCPD Chief Mike Brown in October 2017 following an internal investigation into the Wubbels arrest.
- Controversy: Caught on bodycam footage roughly arresting Nurse Wubbels for refusing to obtain a warrantless blood draw from an unconscious patient, a violation of hospital policy and Supreme Court rulings.
- Post-SLCPD Status: Hired for a part-time position at the Weber County Jail in Ogden, Utah.
- Legal Status: Filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Salt Lake City Police Department and the city in 2017.
Detective Jeffrey Payne, Ph.D. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
- Primary Association: Deputy Sheriff in the Orlando/Central Florida area, often linked to the Jennifer Kesse disappearance case.
- Current Role: Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) in Orlando, Florida.
- Academic Role: Fellow and contributor at the National Policing Institute (formerly the Police Foundation).
- Specialization: Works in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), specializing in sex crimes.
- Education: Holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Security Studies from the University of Central Florida (UCF).
- Professional Focus: Research and publication on topics including police-public interactions, procedural justice, and organizational culture in policing.
The Aftermath of the Viral Arrest: Salt Lake City's Jeff Payne Today
The most searched-for "Jeff Payne" is undoubtedly the one involved in the highly publicized 2017 incident at the University of Utah Hospital. The bodycam footage of Detective Payne roughly handcuffing and arresting nurse Alex Wubbels for following protocol—specifically, refusing to draw blood from an unconscious crash victim without a warrant or patient consent—sparked national outrage and a critical conversation about police overreach.
Fired, Re-Hired, and the Lawsuit’s Status
Following the viral spread of the footage and a subsequent internal affairs investigation, Detective Payne was fired from the Salt Lake City Police Department in October 2017. The termination letter, issued by then-Chief Mike Brown, was a blistering 17-page document detailing multiple policy violations.
The firing did not end his law enforcement career entirely. Just a month after his termination, in August 2017, it was reported that Payne had been hired for a part-time position at the Weber County Jail in Ogden, Utah. This move demonstrated an immediate re-entry into the correctional side of law enforcement, albeit in a different county and capacity.
In a twist, Payne filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Salt Lake City Police Department in 2017, seeking $1.5 million in damages and claiming his firing was excessive and improper. He argued that department leadership failed to provide adequate training and made him a scapegoat for the department's systemic issues. While the nurse, Alex Wubbels, reached a $500,000 settlement with the city and the university, the resolution of Detective Payne's own lawsuit for wrongful termination remains less publicized in recent years. As of late 2025, no major news reports confirm a victory or a settlement for Payne, suggesting the legal battle may have been dismissed, settled privately, or simply faded from the public eye after the initial filing.
The Academic and Investigative Career of Jeffrey Payne, Ph.D.
The second, less controversial, but equally important figure is Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Payne, who is active in the Central Florida area, which is a major hub for true crime interest due to the unsolved disappearance of Jennifer Kesse.
A Key Figure in Florida Law Enforcement
Detective Jeffrey Payne, Ph.D., currently serves as a Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) in Orlando, Florida. His professional focus is in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), where he specializes in complex cases, notably sex crimes.
His career trajectory is marked by a strong commitment to academic rigor and research-based policing, setting him apart from the Salt Lake City figure. Payne holds a Ph.D. in Security Studies from the University of Central Florida (UCF), which informs his work on police-public interactions and the principles of procedural justice.
The Jennifer Kesse Case Connection
Although the initial investigation into the 2006 disappearance of Orlando resident Jennifer Kesse was handled by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), the case has been a continuous point of public scrutiny. Detective Jeffrey Payne's role with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and his proximity to the case's jurisdiction and timeline make him a relevant entity in the ongoing discussion.
His name has appeared in connection with the case, particularly through his involvement with true crime media like the *Up and Vanished* podcast, where he has contributed his expertise and perspective on the intricacies of the investigation. This involvement highlights his reputation as an experienced investigator in the Central Florida area, often called upon for his knowledge of major, high-stakes criminal cases.
Conclusion: Two Legacies, One Name
The current status of "Detective Jeff Payne" is a bifurcated narrative. The officer who became internationally infamous for the Alex Wubbels arrest was fired from the SLCPD but quickly secured a part-time position at the Weber County Jail, continuing his law enforcement career in a correctional capacity. His legal challenge against his firing remains a key part of his public history.
Conversely, Detective Jeffrey Payne, Ph.D., continues his career as a highly respected Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, using his advanced academic background to contribute to the National Policing Institute. While the search intent is often driven by the controversy of the Utah incident, it is the Florida-based detective who maintains a prominent, research-driven role in modern policing, a valuable distinction for anyone seeking the latest, most accurate information on the name "Detective Jeff Payne" in late 2025.
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