Chief Joseph Galaska [City of Margate]
After a heated meeting from Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, the Margate Commission offered Police Chief Joe Galaska an opportunity to retain his position. However, he informed the city manager of his decision to retire on Thursday.
The announcement came after an investigation into inappropriate text messages sent by Galaska found he subjected a female lieutenant to harassment and a hostile work environment.
On Wednesday, the commission voted to cut his pay by 75 percent for one month and 25 percent for the following five months and had six months to improve the Margate police department and eliminate the hostile work environment and sexual bias issues that many officers have complained about.
On Thursday, Galaska told City Manager Cale Curtis he would be resigning.
I am officially requesting to retire under normal circumstances, on my own accord with favorable circumstances. I am requesting to be afforded all of the benefits under normal retirement, including all items in my contract including: 10 weeks severance, payout of all accumulated leave times, retirement credentials, and health insurance and life insurance benefits as listed in my contract. Additionally all other contractual and employment benefits applicable but not listed.
Under the current circumstances, my request to retire as soon as possible, and that I may be afforded to utilize accrued time until my request is approved, making my retirement effective immediately.
I thank all of you for the opportunity you had given me, and thank you for your consideration in this decision.
The independent investigation, conducted at the behest of the Margate city commission, found “sufficient circumstantial evidence to substantiate [the lieutenant’s] claim of harassment and hostile work environment,” according to the Feb. 23 investigative report, which Margate Talk obtained.
At the Wednesday meeting, Commissioner Anthony Arserio moved to terminate Glaska. Commissioner Joanne Simone agreed with the motion, while Commissioner Anthony Caggiano requested a one-month suspension. Vice Mayor Arlene Schwartz suggested giving Galaska some time to improve the department, whereas Mayor Tommy Ruzzano strongly supported Galaska and criticized those who opposed him.
Many residents who came to the meeting supported and praised Galaska. However, members of the police union who spoke were critical of Galaska and his leadership. Some said that while they liked him personally, they did not believe he should be leading the police department.
“I am disappointed that he was not terminated, but I must respect the will of the commission. I don’t believe Galaska will be able to make significant changes to the department in six months,” said Arserio.
Caggiano said, “The chief did this to himself by writing the texts. He gave people opposed to him the ammunition to come after him. There are problems inside the department, and we must address them.” According to him, various cliques in the department see things differently, and they need to find a way to bring them together.
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