Police union: ‘Unfair and inappropriate’ to demote Lake Wales lieutenant amid hiring controversy

LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) — A police union said it’s “unfair and inappropriate” for a Lake Wales lieutenant to be demoted amid a controversy surrounding his hiring.

“He did absolutely nothing wrong,” said Nick Marolda, president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The West Central Florida PBA is the union representing officers and sergeants at the Lake Wales Police Department.

Lt. Dale Hampton, who has served at the department for 20 years, was a sergeant before he was promoted to lieutenant at the end of last year.

“We believe that Hampton should stay in the position as the Lieutenant. They should move on, fix the process and we should move on,” Marolda said.

Hampton’s promotion was brought into the spotlight after a complaint filed by Pastor Clayton Cowart and his group, Poor & Minority Justice Association.

The complaint accused the Lake Wales Police Department of altering language in the promotion application to accommodate Hampton, who was earning a required degree past the deadline.

“It was re-worded so that this Dale Hampton could get the job,” Cowart said.

According to Marolda, Hampton received the degree one week after the initial deadline.

Marolda said he also represents the sergeant who reported the issue to the Poor & Minority Justice Association.

He said that sergeant declined to file a grievance through the union in November, when the promotion process was underway.

“[That sergeant and Hampton] both have grounds here for what we hope was an unintentional oversight by the chief during a promotional process,” Marolda said.

“If you are promoting people based upon favoritism or discriminatory practices then you’re not picking the best qualified person,” said Cowart, who has a history of filing complaints against the Lake Wales Police Department and other agencies.

Cowart also alleged the promotion was “impermissibly motivated by race,” according to a memo sent by the city manager.

City Manager James Slaton launched an investigation.

In a memo sent to Chief Velasquez, Slaton wrote an investigation by the Human Resource Director found “no supporting evidence establishing that promotional decisions were based on any candidate’s race.”

However, Slaton went on to say an “appearance of unfairness in the process was evident” and said he has heard repeated public concerns in two critical areas.

Those areas are an appearance of nepotism within the department and a perception of a lack of transparency.

Slaton told Chief Velasquez he would be giving him three days off unpaid in March and would be advertising a search for his replacement in April.

“I acknowledge your contributions and dedication to the department during your time as Police Chief, however, in the best interest of the department and the community, it is time for new leadership to address the challenges we face,” Slaton wrote.

Slaton said Velasquez may remain in his position until a replacement is appointed.

“The move was swift and I think it was fair,” Cowart said.

“I can tell you that myself and the PBA have never had any issues with the chief at all. We work well together,” Marolda said.

Marolda said as union president, he does not weigh in on the hiring and firing of police chiefs.

His priority is his members, including Hampton.

Marolda sent a letter Wednesday to Slaton, asking for clarification on Hampton’s position.

In Slaton’s memo to Velasquez, he wrote he was considering reopening the lieutenant position given to Hampton.

“He has done nothing wrong, is not facing any disciplinary action, and it would be unfair and inappropriate to remove him from the lieutenant position which he earned and for which he remains qualified,” the letter reads.

Marolda is also calling on the city to include the union in any discussions to change promotion protocols.

A spokesperson for the city said staff are not permitted to comment on personnel matters.

Any statement from city officials would be made public, the official said.

Velasquez has been with the Lake Wales Police Department since 1992 and served as chief since 2011, according to his bio on the city website.

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