PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The town of Pembroke Park is firing its police chief after just six months on the job.
It’s a decision that comes amid recent allegations involving officers who are under investigation, while the chief is claiming retaliation.
The move is leaving this entire department, which was only created in 2022, in disarray.
RaShana Dabney-Donovan is the second chief to be fired.
Those who decided to vote yes based that vote on allegations of misconduct by officers, and they also say the current chief mishandled grants.
Those yes votes came from Mayor Ashira Mohammed, Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs and Acting Clerk Commissioner Musfika Kashem.
“If you’re not doing your job, we evaluate, and we don’t let it drag on any further,” Mohammed said.
The decision coming after Jacobs aired concerns about internal investigations and lawsuits against the department, including allegations that that an officer forced someone to delete a video of an arrest.
The chief called the allegations against the department rumors, saying she has only had six months to try to address problems left by the prior chief.
She was supported by Vice Mayor Eric Morrissette.
“Who would come and work for this department when we treat our people like this,” he said.
The move will become official at the next commission meeting, which takes place on May 8th.
That’s when the commission will ratify this decision.
In the meantime, Wendy Morse has been appointed interim police chief. Morse served with the West Palm Beach Department for over 20 years.