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Dailey Responds To Call To Suspend TPD Chief DeLeo: Employment Decisions Not Up To Commission

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey says it’s not the city commission’s duty to get involved with personnel decisions. This comes after County Commissioner Bill Proctor called for police Chief Mike DeLeo to be suspended.

Proctor is basing his call on an anonymous complaint from “Concerned Employees of TPD” filed with the Tallahassee Human Relations Council against Chief Mike DeLeo. The February 2018 complaint alleges DeLeo has discriminated against black employees when it comes to promotions.

“I will follow the law to the 'T',” he said, addressing Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor at a community forum Tuesday night. 

Dailey notes he doesn’t have the authority to get involved with the hiring and firing of personnel, including the police chief. DeLeo reports to City Manager. However, he told Proctor he’s been briefed on the complaint and the city is looking into the issue’s it’s raised.

“When they get to the bottom of the nature of the anonymous complaint…we will move forward as a body. But I would argue its inappropriate right now before we’ve had the opportunity to look into the merits of the anonymous complaint.”

At least one member of the Human Relations Commission said he’s never seen the complaint.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

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