In a further unfolding of disciplinary actions after a devastating triple homicide in Tamarac, the Broward Sheriff's Office has reportedly fired a probationary deputy and placed several others on administrative leave. According to Local 10, the probationary deputy, identified as Stephen Tapia, was terminated as of last Friday. Six additional deputies and a sergeant, named Brittney King, Dia Cross, Daimeon Nelson, Eric Baide, Eric Klisiak, Lemar Blackwood, and Travis Allen, have been suspended without pay for allegedly breaching confidence and neglecting duties.
These recent disciplinary measures follow the earlier firing of former Capt. Jeremiah Cooper and come in the wake of the Tamarac tragedy which saw Nathan Gingles arrested for the murders of his estranged wife, father-in-law, and a neighbor on February 16. Additionally, Deputy Daniel Lovallo remains on paid administrative leave while Lt. Michael Paparella has been allowed to definitively return to work.
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony has been vocal about the shortcomings within the force regarding this incident. "We had a chance to save their loved one's life and we failed," Sheriff Tony said earlier, as obtained by Local 10. The critique hinges on the department's failure to arrest Gingles back in December, foregoing a potential intervention that might have prevented the subsequent loss of life.
While the disciplinary moves reflect an acknowledgment of error, the Broward Deputy Sheriff's Association has expressed concern over the treatment of its members. The union's president, Dan Rakofsky, stated to WSVN, “These are hard-working and valued career law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day with integrity, courage, and respect for the safety of this community. This punishment being prematurely meted out, BEFORE the conclusion of the internal investigation, shows again that there is a rush to prejudge these deputies…BSO has chosen to impose career-damaging discipline based on speculation and optics, not facts or findings.”
The union has indicated its intention to possibly wait until the internal investigation concludes before it formally begins to defend the involved deputies through the disciplinary process.
