LAKELAND
| Another Lakeland police officer is under criminal investigation, although the
department won't confirm what the case involves, Assistant Police Chief Larry
Giddens said Monday.
A
source, who asked not to be named, told The Ledger the allegations are of a
sexual nature and happened while on duty.
The
subject of the investigation, Julio Pagan, 31, was suspended with pay Friday
night, Giddens said. The seriousness of the allegations facing Pagan caused
Chief Lisa Womack to cancel her vacation plans.
"This
is an active administrative and criminal investigation that is ongoing,"
Giddens said. "We will not be releasing any information about this case
until the conclusion of the investigation."
Pagan,
formerly of the Bartow Police Department, was hired by LPD in 2011 and is paid
$43,789, according to LPD records. He did not return a call for comment Monday.
Pagan
worked as a Bartow police officer from 2006 to 2011, when he left on good terms
to take the job at LPD, according to Bartow's records.
LPD
Detective Nick Marolda, who also is the president of the West Central Florida
Police Benevolent Association, said he is aware of the investigation and said
the union is waiting to hear the outcome of the criminal investigation before
taking any steps to represent Pagan.
Following
department policy, the criminal investigation into Pagan will be conducted
before the administrative investigation begins.
The
allegations are not part of the ongoing sexual misconduct scandal that has
plagued the department for months, Giddens said. "This is a separate
incident."
Pagan's case comes
as the department wraps up its monthslong investigation into sexual misconduct
on and off duty by numerous officers and city employees. This new case also
comes after numerous reforms in policy and procedure were put into place by
Womack, who emphasized officer ethics at a recent presentation to the Lakeland
Police Advisory Commission.
The advisory board
is compiling its final report to present to the City Commission next month. The
commission, which is made up of volunteers, was created by Lakeland Mayor Gow
Fields and is tasked with reviewing a multitude of problems at LPD, including
the large sexual-misconduct case involving numerous employees, and recommending
reforms.