Chief Joseph Galaska [City of Margate]
Broward County’s Police Benevolent Association called for the resignation of Margate Police Chief Joseph Galaska Thursday after a majority of voting members cast votes of “no confidence” in the chief.
Broward PBA President Rod Skirvin said in a letter to city commissioners that an “overwhelming” number of rank-and-file Margate officers and command staff members had cast ballots rejecting Galaska’s leadership in two separate votes. The votes were scheduled after an independent investigation found Galaska subjected a female lieutenant to harassment and a hostile work environment and made derogatory statements about other police department employees in text messages.
Writing on behalf of over 100 members of the Margate Police Department, Skirvin told commissioners the investigation’s findings “show a pattern of inappropriate behavior that should never be tolerated or condoned in any work environment” and said commissioners “must immediately ask for the Chief’s resignation.”
“For far too long, a pervasive culture of sexism and discrimination has existed in the Margate Police Department in large part because of the inappropriate and brazen misconduct of both the former Chief of Police and now with the current Chief of Police, Joseph Galaska,” Skirvin wrote, referring to Galaska’s fired predecessor, Jonathan Shaw.
“These alarming findings may come as a surprise to the public, but for the officers and command staff at Margate’s Police Department, they only reaffirm what many of them have already known for some time, including those who have personally endured tremendous emotional and psychological distress stemming from this culture of hostility.”
The investigation into Galaska, conducted by attorney Ria Chattergoon of The RC Law Group at the city commission’s behest, also found text messages and information that she said raised concerns about potential gender bias in the police department.
Her investigation found Galaska’s inappropriate text messages sent to subordinates violated the police department’s Standard of Conduct and the city’s Professional Conduct and Respectful Workplace policies.
“Chief Galaska’s conduct ultimately creates potential liability for the City in the future,” Chattergoon wrote.
In his letter, Skirvin said the police union’s “overwhelming lack of confidence in Chief Galaska demonstrates that he is unable to provide the change in culture that this agency desperately needs.” Along with the investigation’s findings, the votes “further illustrate why this commission must immediately ask for the Chief’s resignation,” the letter states.
“This commission has an important opportunity to stand with our female officers and with all of the dedicated law enforcement officers in Margate’s Police Department, who deserve to work in an environment that’s free of harassment, hostility, and any form of discrimination.”
Skirvin said the union was ready to explore legal action if the commission did not act.
“For the PBA, the status quo is unacceptable,” he wrote. “While we are hopeful that you will hold Chief Galaska accountable for his inappropriate actions and blatant policy violations, we are fully prepared to explore all of our legal options if you do not.”
Galaska did not respond to a text message seeking comment Thursday.
Prior to the PBA votes, Margate commissioners expressed varying opinions on whether Galaska should be fired. Mayor Tommy Ruzzano supported the chief keeping his job, Commissioner Joanne Simone said the commission needed to take action, Vice Mayor Arlene Schwartz said Galaska’s text messages were inappropriate but did not warrant his dismissal, and Commissioner Antonio Arserio said Galaska must go—a position he reiterated Thursday.
“I think that what the chief did was inappropriate and at best shows that he has poor judgement,” Arserio said. “I’ve always maintained the position that the chief should do the right thing and resign, and if not, the commission should move to terminate his contract.”
“I think that this vote of no confidence by the police union further supports my position as well as the investigator’s position that there is a hostile work environment,” Arserio added.
The commission has the power to hire and fire police chiefs. Their next meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 7 p.m. Margate 03.14.24
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