Former Margate Police Chief Jonathan Shaw {Margate Police}
By Kevin Deutsch
A long-awaited internal affairs report examining misconduct allegations against former Margate Police Chief Jonathan Shaw is being “wrapped up” and could be released by the end of April, officials said.
In response to questions about the probe from Margate Mayor Antonio Arserio, City Manager Cale Curtis was tight-lipped about the investigation into the conduct of the since-fired chief. However, he said the department’s Internal Investigations Unit is still conducting interviews.
“Without getting into details of that investigation, I believe IA is wrapping up some final interviews and meetings with people that were brought into the investigation, and then that report will be finalized and brought forward,” Curtis said during Wednesday’s City Commission meeting.
“What I’m looking for is just kind of a reasonable ETA,” Arserio replied.
“If we could give you a definitive date, we would,” said Curtis. “I know that they’re working really, really hard in reviewing transcripts and getting everything packaged up. I haven’t spoken to IA, but maybe it will be by the end of this month. But they’ve been working really, really hard in dealing with that and trying to get the completed investigation back to you.”
The City Commission fired Shaw on December 1 after two allegations were made against him, leading to his paid suspension and eventual removal.
The allegations against Shaw have never been made public, with city officials calling them confidential. Nor have city officials disclosed any information about whether the allegations are criminal or civil in nature.
The police department’s Internal Investigations sergeant was assigned to investigate the allegations against Shaw, a probe city officials previously said would be completed in March.
Last month, Joseph Galaska replaced Shaw as police chief, a crowning achievement in his 29-plus year law enforcement career.
Galaska, too, has been the subject of a complaint, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Two sources previously told the newspaper a complaint was pending in the police department alleging Galaska created a hostile work environment there.
No details about that complaint have been made public.
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