High Springs Police Chief James Troiano will not resign, despite union demands, he said Wednesday.
A union representing the police officers of High Springs called for the resignation of Troiano in a letter addressed to the mayor Monday.
The Florida Police Benevolent Association Inc. cited a survey that found morale at the police department "very low." Respondents blamed this on the chief, calling him "belligerent and unfair."
The survey also found that "rules and regulations are not applied equally to all employees" and "favoritism is shown by the agency," according to the letter.
"I am not going to resign. I am not being fired. I am absolutely committed to the best level of leadership for this department," Troiano said.
Of the 12 surveys sent out, nine were returned. Each said if they could change one thing at the agency, it would be "to get rid of the police chief," according to the survey results released by Reddish & White, CPAs, which conducted the survey for the union.
In a press release Tuesday, City Manager James Drumm defended Troiano, saying he "has not done anything warranting his resignation, and [I] have no intention of asking [him] to resign on the demand of staff members."
He added that "the appointment of the police chief is not a popularity contest."
Troiano is concerned about the survey's timing, he said. The city is currently in negotiations for a three-year labor renewal agreement with the union.
"We stand committed to continue this negotiation in good faith," Drumm said in the release.
Troiano doubted the survey's methods. The union sent out 12 surveys, but only 10 officers in the department were eligible to receive them, Troiano said. One was received by an officer who is not a union member.
The letter accused the chief of unfair disciplinary practices, but Troiano said he has formally disciplined only one officer in his tenure. That officer divulged confidential information to someone outside the police force. Out of the maximum penalty of 160 hours suspension, Troiano removed the officer for one day.
"I can't see how [that] would be 'unfair and not in line or scope with what should be expected,' as the union claims," he said.
He added that "the true feelings of many in the police department were not heard."
