Case against Chief Scott clears first hurdle

BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A lawsuit filed by Sergeant Aaron Wagle against Gainesville Police Department Chief Lonnie Scott cleared its first hurdle today when Judge Donna Keim issued an order stating that the officer has “demonstrated a preliminary basis for relief.” The order gives Chief Scott 30 days to file a response stating why he believes the relief requested by the officer should not be granted. The officer’s lawyer, Bobi Frank, will then have 15 days to respond, if desired.
Wagle’s lawsuit asks Judge Keim to issue a Writ of Mandamus ordering Scott to hold a Compliance Review Hearing because Wagle alleges that his rights were intentionally violated during an Internal Affairs (IA) investigation. The Compliance Review Hearing will not review the facts of Wagle’s IA investigation but instead will examine the procedures followed by the investigators to determine whether there were intentional violations of the Officers’ Bill of Rights.
If the panel finds that there was a violation and that the violation was intentional, the investigator must immediately be removed from any further involvement with the investigation (a City of Gainesville attorney told Frank that the investigator was already removed from the investigation and that the City believed that made Wagle’s request moot, but Frank disagreed and proceeded to file the petition), and an investigation must be initiated against that investigator for purposes of agency disciplinary action. If the investigation is sustained, the allegations are forwarded to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission for review as an act of official misconduct or misuse of position.
Good for the officer. Can’t help but wonder if there was a thorough deep dive if more potential violations might be found. Those of us who’ve been around for a while know well how certain city leaders do their best to hide/hinder/prevent potential discovery of potential malfeasance within city walls.
This is the result of putting unqualified people in office. I hope the officer gets his day in court.
Just like the last chief. . . another DEI hire.
https://www.change.org/p/make-law-enforcement-fully-investigate-shots-fired-calls-to-911-dispatch
You have to wonder why the city (GNV CC) and GPD resist being brought into the daylight. It should not require lawsuits to force government compliance with state law (LEO Bill of Rights). First it was Sheriff Clovis Watson in the county and now GPD.
https://chng.it/m77sbdD6
Hang with it Aaron! Let’s see how ‘transparent’ they really are. The usual shuck & jive from Lonnie.
Scott has really turned out to be a disappointment. I can’t think of one good thing he has done since taking over as chief nor anything to deserve making more than $200 grand a year in a city with a growing homeless problem, lack of good response time and low number of patrol officers.
It is time for the leadership change from the Jones & Scott era. Over 30 years of the same ole same ole. In complete City of Gainesville as usual shady conduct, neither of them had to go through any type of vetting or selection process. Even more ironic since any regular employee needs to jump through hoops and then additional diversity approval to just transfer within the department.
I agree but the whole system needs to be reset. The current city commission will never allow a tough on crime chief who supports his officer to be in charge.
https://www.change.org/p/make-law-enforcement-fully-investigate-shots-fired-calls-to-911-dispatch
https://www.change.org/p/make-law-enforcement-fully-investigate-shots-fired-calls-to-911-dispatch