Oak Hill, Florida - Police Chief Fired
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Police chief cleans out desk, keeps using car
Oak Hill, Florida -- Voicing his concern personal records might be destroyed, former Police Chief Walter Zalisko wasted no time cleaning out his office after the City Commission decided it no longer needed his services.Monday night commissioners voted 3-2 to terminate the remainder of Zalisko's two-year contract without cause. They agreed to pay him 180 days of his $38,000 annual salary and benefits in lieu of notice.
Vice Mayor Darla Lauer led the ouster with the support of commissioners Darry Evans and Charlie Dean. Mayor Mike Thompson and Commissioner Sherman Babcock dissented. The chief did not attend the special meeting.
Within two hours of the vote -- at about 9 p.m. -- Zalisko showed up at the police department to return his city-owned equipment and remove his personal belongings.
"The sooner the better," he said Tuesday morning.
Zalisko said he was worried documents related to departmental investigations into allegations of misconduct against three officers -- Sgt. Guy Grasso, Officer Rick Winston and former Sgt. Dee Williams -- might be destroyed. He removed his personal files saying he will turn them over to his attorney and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Mayor Mike Thompson, who acts as department head for police, told the commission during Monday's meeting he would contact the chief and arrange a transition early Tuesday morning.
However, that plan changed when an officer came to his home Monday night telling him the chief was at the department. Thompson said he went to the office and oversaw the return of property.
"He was very cordial," Thompson said.
Zalisko still has his department-issued car, which he claims is part of his benefit package. Since the commission terminated him with six months salary and benefits, he said he should be allowed to retain its use until his contract expires on July 31.
Tuesday morning Zalisko called the commission vote "a retaliatory action against me doing my lawful duties in getting a department to become professional."
He pointed out two of the three yes votes came from commissioners -- Lauer and Dean -- he has filed complaints against.
Dean is the subject of an ethics complaint submitted to the state in October. Then last month, Zalisko made allegations to the state attorney's office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement that Lauer violated state law and city policy in informing Winston of an internal affairs investigation against him.
Zalisko said he plans legal action against the city for numerous civil rights violations and its retaliatory actions against him. In addition he expects to sue Winston and Grasso, as well as Lauer and Dean, individually.
Zalisko became a lightning rod for public criticism within months of coming aboard in July 2004 for his unpaid suspension of Williams. He was also accused of using threats and intimidation against those critical of the way he ran his department.
Numerous residents stepped forward calling for the chief's ouster Monday night.
"We have had nothing but chaos and division since the chief was hired," Jim Goodrich said. "The chief has had no tolerance for anyone who disagrees with him, including his bosses."
Bill McGee said there is plenty of cause to terminate the chief.
"At some point, the negatives outweigh the positives," he said, adding while Zalisko has done some good things, there is a point where you cannot have an employee doing things like that to the city.
Zalisko had his supporters as well.
Fred Peters said the chief has done his job.
"He is enforcing the law as he sees it," he said. "You can't shoot the messenger."
Originally appeared on News-Journal Online at
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Neighbors/DailyJournal/evlDJ02032206.htm