Lake Hamilton, Florida -- Council members on Tuesday night voted to keep the municipality's troubled police, but then decided to turn all major crimes over to the Polk County sheriff.
Officials also voted to look into sheriff's office fees for full-time service, if needed.
The meeting was spurred by allegations of corruption against the department that were so serious and widespread, the city had to hire auditors to figure out how to fix the problems.
"If they were making a serious policy … they looked to bring in the sheriff's office." says Jim Sewell, Law Enforcement Auditor for the city of Lake Hamilton.
After a 10-day audit of Lake Hamilton's police department the auditor says the best thing this department can do is let the Polk County Sheriff's Office take it over. The report, which starts at the top with Chief Lyle Jagniszak, says the chief lacks adequate and up to date training and says the same goes for all of the officers. "Those courses have been offered historically it was started in 1990. Many of the agencies in Polk County go thru these training sessions", says Sewell.
Another problem is personnel. Lake Hamilton needs more officers, they currently only have 6. Sewell says they have only a bare enough to get by.
Lake Hamilton is proud of the small town feel and connection with its police department. But Sewell says it's not enough when it comes to modern day policing. Sewell said, "From a service perspective they do a lot of things you would expect from a small town."
Sewell's report calls the police building "ill-suited for law enforcement purposes, saying "They need a lot of work. There are a number issues there. They've not kept up with the times."
The law enforcement consultant believes these issues and the others pointed out in his report can only be solved if Lake Hamilton city leaders are willing to spend at least 110-thousands more every year just on policing. Sewell says this may not be realistic. "That is way out of kilter with other agencies. The sheriff has said to them that he can under that figure."
Sewell echoes what the state attorney said: this police department is only qualified to pursue basic police work.
Sewell says that though Lake Hamilton has lots of problems with their police service he feels that the people there are still safe. To see a copy of the Consultant report to go to our click here.
