ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – An internal investigation by the St. Petersburg Police Department found three lieutenants claimed to be at work when they weren’t.
Lt. Dennis Bolender chose to retire before the police department finished its review on Wednesday. The police department demoted both Lts. Cleven Wyatt and Cynthia Davis to officers, respectively.
"These three lieutenants have {more than } 80 years of experience," St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said. "It's very frustrating because I want them here to help these young officers to lead them the correct way, and they weren't doing that."
Holloway estimated the St. Petersburg Police Department has hired 250 new officers, whom the three lieutenants were supposed to lead.
The trio claimed work time when they were not properly checked in, were outside their assigned work area, and when they were driving to and from work.
The police department’s investigation ran from Aug. 1, 2017, and ran through Jan. 28, 2018.
The investigation reviewed an electronic payroll system, the mobile positioning system on laptop computers, the automated vehicle locator and entry-swipe card system. The investigation found that Bolender, Wyatt and Davis violated the department's general orders and city rules.
The investigation also reviewed paper check-off sheets.
Holloway estimated a top police lieutenant earns about $115,000 per year, while a top officer $76,000.
"They won't be at the $100,000 range," Holloway said of Wyatt and Davis. "They'd be down the $70,000 range."
Bolender, Wyatt and Davis would log more hours in their online timecard system than they actually worked, Holloway said. The three would also say they were working overtime when their cars were at home, according to Holloway.
As part of their demotions, Wyatt and Davis lose take-home car privileges the police department provides.
"Now, they'll go on a waiting list, so they have to wait for a car to become available," Holloway said. "So, that vehicle that they were using
–
they were using the city's gas and city wear-and-tear – so now they've got to use their own car."Here’s a look at the work history for Bolender, Wyatt and Davis:
Bolender worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department since November 1986. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 2005.
Wyatt has worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department since October 1987. He was promoted to lieutenant in August 2006.
Davis has worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department since June 1996. She was promoted to lieutenant in December 2016.
Watch: Click or tap here to watch Police Chief Anthony Holloway discuss the investigation's findings
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