The Key West Citizen

"DEEPLY GRIEVED"- Police Chief George Gomez reads his report on the Key West Police Department's efforts to break up the series of breakins and burglaries and on involvement of two police officers in one burglary investigation at a special City Commission meeting Wednesday night.—Citizen Staff Photo, Clint Giese.

Second Cop Suspended In Burglary Connection

Gomez Announces Action Taken Against Gonzalez

A second Key West policeman, George "Dingo" Gonzalez, 25, has been suspended from duty in connection with the recent Roy's Auto Parts Store burglary here-his second suspension this year.

Police Chief George Gomez, reporting to Key West City Commission at a special session Wednesday night, revealed Gonzalez's suspension but gave no further details for fear that it might hamper Monroe County Sheriff's Department's investigation.

Meanwhile, a sympathetic commission, at the suggestion of member Louis M. J. Eisner, gave the police chief a unanimous vote of confidence.

"It doesn't look good and it sounds worse," Eisner said, "when a city policeman is charged with violating the criminal laws he is pledged to enforce.

"But let's not take any hasty action now; let's hear both sides of the story, wait until all the facts are in.

"And in the meantime," he said, "I think we should let every policeman know that we are behind their department; and urge them not to hang their heads because of what one or two men may have done, but to go right on doing their jobs right."

Neither the sheriff's department or city police were ready to comment today on exactly how Gonzalez was supposed to be involved in the Roy's burglary.

Sheriff's officers have said that City Policeman Eugene A. Pinder has confessed to acting as "lookout" for the three men charged with actually committing the burglary. Pinder was in uniform and on duty at the time.

Gonzalez had been suspended from the police force once before, in March, 1958, Police Chief Gomez said.

At that time, nurses at Monroe General Hospital testified that Gonzalez had come to the hospital in a "highly intoxicated" state and created a disturbance there. Gonzalez was reinstated on orders from the City Civil Service board about a month and a half later, Chief Gomez said.

Chief Gomez' complete report to the city commission follows in full:

Honorable Mayor, City Commissioners, City of Key West, Florida, City Hall Key West, Florida Gentlemen:

As Chief of Police of the City of Key West, Florida, it has been a matter of grave personal concern to me that for some time there has been a rash of both petty and serious burglaries in the City.

In meeting this problem I have taken certain steps to alleviate the condition and to increase the protection afforded the general populus, the details of which are procedural and best not discussed publicly. It will suffice to state that plainclothes patrolmen have been stationed in areas of exposure and lieutenants in charge of watch have been charged with added responsibilities, all in an attempt to meet this serious situation.

The measures instigated have proven successful even though they have not completely eliminated the infractions.

You gentlemen are undoubtedly aware of the recent burglary at Roy's Auto Parts Store and the apprehension of the three men charged with the crime.

ly aware of the report in The Key West Citizen under date of September 30, 1958. As Chief of Police I am deeply concerned when one of my officers becomes publicly involved in any violation of our laws.

In my mind there are not many situations worse which must be met than that presented in an instance where a uniformed police officer is charged with a felonious violation of the Criminal Code.

Therefore, I deem it necessary that this report in as sufficient detail as is expedient under the circumstances be made to the Commission, I say, "expedient under the circumstances" bearing in mind that charges have been made and publicized against one of our police officers.

This officer has not as yet been convicted nor has the investigation been completed. Police investigative work, during its initial phase of gathering facts requires at least a temporary withholding of certain facts upon which the subsequent case before the jury will be based. With this in mind I submit the following report:

On Saturday morning, September 27, at 8:00 a. m., Officer C. E. Griffen of the Department received a telephonic report of an apparent breaking and entry at Roy's Auto Parts on Duval Street in the City. Subsequently Officer Harry Sawyer proceeded to the scene and thereafter filed his report, all according to our standard operating procedures.

Some thirty minutes later, upon my instructions, the Office of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department was notified and the investigation transferred to the Sheriff's Department, also in accordance with our standard operating procedures in the case of all felonies.

Thereafter, I summoned the Lieutenant in charge of the watch during which the alleged breaking and entry occurred. This Lieutenant, Eugene Hernandez, was questioned and the Lieutenant in turn interrogated his officer in charge of the particular beat upon which the alleged offense occurred. Certain other steps to tighten security measures were taken at that time.

Thereafter, on Monday, September 30, 1958, at 9:00 a. m. I was personally informed by Monroe County Sheriff, John W. Spottswood, that Police Officer Eugene Pinder had been arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in connection with the alleged breaking and entering at Roy's Auto Parts during the morning hours of September 27, 1958.

I immediately issued a written suspension effectual pending the outcome of charges filed against him.

Following the issuance of my Order of Suspension, as Chief of Police I undertook a personal investigation of the charges filed against Pinder. Certain information furnished by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department but not presently available for my use is highly persuasive in my present determination that my previous course of action is suspending Pinder was justified.

When the complete results of the investigation by the Sheriff's Department, as well as my own, are available and the investigation complete I intend to file charges against Pinder.

As a result of the information which I have available, I have this date suspended Police Officer George Gonzalez. This Order of Suspension of Gonzalez was issued for the good of the service and as a result of my aforesaid investigation.

I am deeply grieved at the necessity of bringing this report to you gentlemen but I am just as positive in my assertion that the old saying "one or two rotten apples spoils the barrel" is not appropriate here. The Officers and men of the Key West Police Force have done and are doing a splendid job with the equipment and man-power available.

I believe that, to a man, the reported action of the one, or perhaps two, officers involved in this alleged offense is abhorred by my Police Force. My Police Officers are loyal, hardworking and their morale is high.

This unfortunate incident will, I believe, spur them to greater efforts to erase in the minds of the public the bad taste always present when any peace officer or police officer or sheriff is discovered to be unworthy of the public trust and confidence placed in them as keepers of the peace.

Respectfully submitted
GEORGE G. GOMEZ
Chief of Police,
City of Key West, Fla.