CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- There’s controversy brewing within the Punta Gorda Police Department. The police chief claims he’s just been fired one year after a deadly shooting happened under his watch. The city claims he still has a job.
Tom Lewis was cleared of a culpable negligence charge in the death of Mary Knowlton last August. She was mistakenly shot by one of his officers with live rounds instead of blanks during a citizen’s police academy.
Chief Tim Lewis says his duties are done as Punta Gorda Police Chief, claiming the city fired him Monday afternoon after refusing to resign, during a meeting behind closed doors with City Manager Howard Kunik.
“The city hasn’t taken any action to change Chief Lewis’ employment status,” Sandi Poreda, President of Bulldog Strategy Group said.
Poreda’s firm was hired by the city of Punta Gorda to hand this case. Poreda says the internal investigation has not been completed, meaning the city has not changed the Chief’s employment status.
“The manager Howard Kunik has not made a final determination,” Poreda said.
There is no paper trail confirming a termination that has been available to us. However, Chief Lewis says the PR firm was aware of the city’s decision for termination as of 2:30 yesterday sending Four In Your Corner a screen shot of a text message exchange from Poreda that reads:
“What is going on!? Howard just said termination instead of resignation!?”
Poreda says the only exchange she had with Lewis was directing him to call the city manager. Further explaining a memo would need to issue a memo before making a final decision.
““That has not happened. He has not made a final decision and until he makes a final decision in that specific process, he’s not locked in to any one particular outcome,” she said.
Walt Zalisko, a former Police Chief says even if the city decided to keep Chief Tom Lewis, it would be difficult for him to continue doing his job effectively.
“His credibility is shot, his judgment is shot. He would be best to move on,” Zalisko said.
