West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo has fired five command staff members after a nearly two-year investigation into alleged overtime abuse and overlapping work hours. The terminations close a turbulent chapter for a department still trying to rebuild public trust after a leadership shake-up, disputed payroll practices and multiple investigations.
As reported by WPBF, the fired officials include former Assistant Chief Tameka West, former Major Michael Deighan and Captains Joseph Ahern, Theodore Swiderski and Dennis Wrobbel. Investigators examined whether command staff entered leave time before working private extra-duty assignments, creating overlaps with their regular city schedules.
An audit obtained by WFLX alleged that five officers logged more than 600 overlapping hours over 10 months. The audit attributed 318 hours to Ahern, 157 to Troy Marchese, 91 to Swiderski and 56 to West, while Marchese retired before the investigation concluded.
Records reviewed by WPTV showed that two city payroll systems did not communicate properly, allowing regular hours and extra-duty assignments to overlap. Earlier audits in 2020 and 2022 had flagged weaknesses in timekeeping, but investigators documented additional overlaps after software intended to prevent them was installed.
Why Araujo Says The Firings Were Necessary
Araujo has argued that the issue was bigger than a few bad entries on a timecard. In reporting by WLRN, the chief said he believed the department had cause to act while still respecting due process, framing the decision as part of a broader effort to reset its culture.
The union representing the terminated commanders disputes that interpretation. A memo cited by WPTV said command staff positions were subject to flex scheduling authorized by the police chief, and union leaders have argued that the commanders followed longstanding practices rather than intentionally stealing time.
The Case Now Moves From Criminal Review To Arbitration
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigation did not lead to criminal charges, with investigators finding insufficient evidence to establish probable cause, according to WPBF. The union nevertheless plans to challenge the firings through the grievance and arbitration process, leaving the employment dispute unresolved even after the criminal review ended.
For West Palm Beach residents, the fight is now about more than whether overlapping hours were caused by bad software, approved flex time or misconduct. It is also a test of whether the department can apply its rules consistently at the top while convincing the public that accountability is not reserved for rank-and-file officers.
