Lakeland Police Department | SEONewsWire.net

Plant City police chief fired today. Chief’s firing comes only one week after Chief Womack resigned in neighboring Lakeland, Florida.

admin — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:52:46 +0000

Wow! Another week and another police chief out of a job. This time it is Plant City Police Chief Steve Singletary. Just like the Lakeland Police Department scandal, this firing also included allegations of sexual misconduct. The city manager did not fire Chief Singletary for allegedly having an affair. However, the chief was let go because he allegedly violated city policy and Plant City’s code of conduct by spending working hours with the woman and also for interfering with the investigation into these allegations. As I have been saying for some time, the public’s trust in the judicial system and its police officer’s is paramount. Plant City’s manager stated the same in announcing the firing. Police Officer Mark Mathis was also fired for alleging help cover-up an incident at the Plant City shooting range. The search for a new police chief will start shortly, just as it will for a new police chief for the Lakeland Police Department.

If you have been arrested by the Plant City or Lakeland Police Department, call an experienced criminal lawyer to fight for you in court!

Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606

The post Plant City police chief fired today. Chief’s firing comes only one week after Chief Womack resigned in neighboring Lakeland, Florida. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Embattled Lakeland Police Department Chief Lisa Womack resigned today.

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:02:58 +0000

LPD Chief Lisa Womack resigned today. Womack’s resignation is effective May 1. The chief’s resignation comes only two (2) days after a “no confidence” vote by employees of the Lakeland Police Department. This comes after a scandal filled year at LPD including sexual misconduct, “bra-shaking” searches of females, my DUI case where issues with the police reports being notarized even though the reports were blank, the arrest of an LPD officer on charges he sexually abused and stalked a woman while on duty, and a grand jury investigation into problems with Womack and the department’s handling of public records. Chief Womack cited the resignation was in the best interest of herself and her and her family. A nationwide search will begin to find her replacement.

Hopefully, the community’s confidence can be restored in the Lakeland Police Department in the future.

If you have been arrested by the Lakeland Police Department, call Thomas C. Grajek, an aggressive Polk county criminal defense attorney that has experienced defending criminal charges.

CALL AND SET YOUR FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION NOW!

You will not have to drive to another county. Office – Lakeland, Polk County.

Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606

Handling all felony and misdemeanor sex cases in Polk County, Florida including Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and Davenport.

The post Embattled Lakeland Police Department Chief Lisa Womack resigned today. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Lakeland Police Department fires back at Polk prosecutor Jerry Hill’s office today.

admin — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 01:35:23 +0000

Today, the Lakeland Police Department released a 68-page report to Lakeland city commissioners regarding problems with criminal cases investigated by L.P.D. The report, prepared by members of Lakeland P.D.’s internal affairs division, detailed case by case what efforts have been taken or are in the works to address Polk State Attorney Jerry Hill’s concerns.

While LPD admitted their officers made mistakes in some cases, LPD also stated that it was the Polk prosecutors fault for not communicating with LPD officers enough. One of the errors concerned a registered sex offender case that resulted in the criminal charges being dropped. The Ledger article can be read here:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20140117/NEWS/140119298?tc=cr&tc=ar#gsc.tab=0

The State Attorneys office responded quickly to the report, explaining that the prosecutor does not experience these problems with any other law enforcement agencies in Polk County. That response can be seen at:

http://www.wfla.com/story/24484917/lakeland-police-chief-answers-state-attorney-criticisms

There are still problems. The biggest problem is that you can not have communication and cooperation problems between a law enforcement agency and prosecutor. These agencies must work together. They are a team that must cooperate to protect society and insure that justice is done in all criminal cases and investigations. It is a team effort. As I have stated before, LPD should have had an experienced criminal defense trial attorney aiding in the internal investigation of LPD. Criminal defense attorneys examine issues and problems with a critical eye and no agenda. There is no self-interest involved for an outside attorney who can assess where mistakes were made and which agency needs to correct them.

Hopefully, these problems can be resolved so that Polk County residents and people arrested are treated fairly and all evidence and witnesses to events are preserved in criminal cases and justice prevails.

If you have been arrested by Lakeland Police Department or are charged with a crime in Polk County, retain a trial attorney with the experience to defend you in court.

CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO AN EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION

Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606

The post Lakeland Police Department fires back at Polk prosecutor Jerry Hill’s office today. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

LPD officer arrested for armed sexual battery. Another scandal at Lakeland Police Department.

admin — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 03:10:18 +0000

Lakeland Police Officer Julio Pagan was arrested Thursday and charged with armed sexual battery by a law enforcement officer and armed aggravated stalking. Officer Pagan was formerly with the Bartow Police Department. Officer Pagan was booked into the Polk County Jail today. These charges carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

Pagan was the arresting officer on one of my client’s DUI cases and there were numerous problems with his investigation of that criminal case. The criminal allegations against Pagan stem from a domestic violence case Ofc. Pagan was investigating while working for LPD. There is allegedly video evidence supporting the alleged victim’s allegations. There are also 911 calls regarding the arrested officer. Will these scandals at LPD ever end? Chief Womack said she is “fed up” with these scandals.

If you have been arrested by Officer Pagan, the pending charges will probably be dropped immediately. If you have been arrested by the Lakeland Police Department, call an attorney fighting for you in court.

CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO AN EXPERIENCED, AGGRESSIVE

POLK COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

CALL AND SET YOUR FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION NOW!

You will not have to drive to another county. Office – Lakeland, Polk County.

Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606

The post LPD officer arrested for armed sexual battery. Another scandal at Lakeland Police Department. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Forty DUI arrests by the Lakeland Police Dept. to be dismissed by Polk prosecutors "The Ledger" reports.

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 19:35:50 +0000

As a follow up to yesterday’s News Channel 8′s story on LPD, The Ledger is reporting that “The letter also said Hill will no longer accept testimony from Sgt. Raymond Lloyd and Officer David Edds. In addition, nearly 40 pending DUI cases will be dismissed.” The full article can be viewed at:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130716/NEWS/130719456?p=1&tc=pg

The article refers to my DUI case that brought to light some of the problems with the DUI arrests being made by Lakeland Police Department officers. You can read about that case on my CASE RESULTS page here:

http://www.flcrimedefense.com/case-results/

If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney that will thoroughly investigate call me!

Thomas C. Grajek

Experienced criminal defense trial attorney

863-688-4606

The post Forty DUI arrests by the Lakeland Police Dept. to be dismissed by Polk prosecutors "The Ledger" reports. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

News Channel 8 continues investigating Lakeland Police Dept.

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:32:36 +0000

Last night News Channel 8 did a story regarding the Lakeland Police Department. The station reported a “bombshell” announcement regarding further problems at LPD. You can see the story at this link:

http://www.wfla.com/story/22856459/lakeland-police-scandals-could-place

News Channel 8 also has copies of the letters the State Attorney sen Chief Womack regarding some of the LPD officers. In the letters the prosecutor states he does not feel he can trust the officers’ testimony in criminal cases. Without that testimony, the prosecutor may not be able to prove the DUI charges pending against suspected drivers. This may result in up to 40 DUI cases being dismissed. Other alleged criminal prosecutions may also be affected and dropped including felony criminal charges.

It also appears the investigation by the State Attorney’s office into the Lakeland Police Department are not finished. It was also reported that the Lakeland Police Department is reviewing all of LPD’s DUI arrests since last year. I will keep an eye on these events and how it may benefit my clients to insure they are treated fairly.

If you have been arrested by the Lakeland Police, call the attorney who worked to discover some of these allegations.

Lakeland Criminal Defense Lawyer

Thomas C. Grajek – 863-688-4606

Handling all felony, misdemeanor, and DUI cases in Polk County.

The post News Channel 8 continues investigating Lakeland Police Dept. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Polk County State Attorney Jerry Hill issues "no confidence" letter for two LPD officers.

admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:27:30 +0000

The ongoing problems and investigation into the Lakeland Police Department continue. The Ledger reported today that the State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit issued a “No Confidence’ letter for two LPD officers. You can read the article here:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130716/NEWS/130719456?tc=cr

That means that the prosecutor’s office will no longer accept testimony from Sgt. Raymond Lloyd and Officer David Edds. These were the officers on my LPD case a few weeks ago where I brought out the problems with the DUI reports and how the police reports were sworn to under oath. Usually, that means that the State Attorney’s office will not go forward with any cases in which these officers are the sole officer giving testimony. For some individuals, that may mean criminal charges are dropped against them if the testimony is critical to the case.

The investigation is still ongoing. Hopefully, the thorough job the State Attorney’s office is doing will result in restoring the public’s confidence in the Lakeland Police Department.

In addition, two deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were also fired today based upon their misconduct.

If you have been arrested and are looking for an attorney to stand up and fight for you in court call me!

THOMAS C. GRAJEK, POLK COUNTY CRIMINAL ATTORNEY

CALL NOW 863-688-4606

The post Polk County State Attorney Jerry Hill issues "no confidence" letter for two LPD officers. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Prosecutor calls for changes at LPD. The Ledger explains the issues in-depth and with great detail.

admin — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 02:14:35 +0000

The Lakeland Ledger did a very thorough investigation into the on-going problems at the Lakeland Police Department. These issues include my DUI case regarding how DUI reports are completed in criminal cases, bra-shaking searches conducted by patrol officers, FDLE’s investigation of LPD, and other issues. You can read the full article here:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130620/NEWS/306215002/1358/news06?p=1&tc=pg

If you have been arrested, call an attorney that will fight for your rights!

CALL AND SET YOUR FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION NOW!

You will not have to drive to another county. Office – Lakeland, Polk County.

Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606

The post Prosecutor calls for changes at LPD. The Ledger explains the issues in-depth and with great detail. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Lakeland DUI procedures get attention of news after Thomas C. Grajek’s NOT GUILTY verdict this week!

admin — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:28:46 +0000

This week I obtained a NOT GUILTY verdict after a jury trial in my client’s Lakeland DUI arrest. Due to my investigation into the Lakeland Police Department’s procedures in DUI cases, the news picked up on this story. My preparation for the case and cross-examination of the officer has led the LPD to conduct an investigation into LPD’s DUI arrest procedures.

You can watch News Channel 8′s excellent story here:

http://www.wfla.com/story/22644586/fl-investigates-lakeland-police-dui-procedures

If you are arrested for DUI, you need an attorney who thoroughly investigates your case.
You need a DUI lawyer that will stand up for your rights in court.
You need an experienced trial attorney that knows how to cross-examine a DUI officer.
You need an attorney that attends the latest DUI and criminal seminars that knows the law.

Polk County DUI lawyer Thomas C. Grajek is that attorney!

863-838-5549 cell

The administrative driver license suspension rules for DUI’s change July 1, 2013.

The post Lakeland DUI procedures get attention of news after Thomas C. Grajek’s NOT GUILTY verdict this week! first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Lakeland DUI Attorney Thomas C. Grajek in the news after DUI trial this week.

admin — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:17:08 +0000

After my Lakeland DUI trial on Tuesday, the Ledger and Channel 8 news started taking a closer look at the procedures used by Lakeland Police Department. Read the Ledger article here:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130620/NEWS/130629985?tc=cr&tc=ar

Documents and police reports play a critical role in a DUI and criminal case. DUI reports are also the evidence used to uphold the suspension of a driver’s license is based on these reports. The DUI documents are admissible if properly sworn to and can make the difference whether or not you have a license.

The Formal Review rules are changing July 1, 2013. Call an experienced attorney who keeps up with the latest changes in DUI law.

I fight for my clients in the courtroom!

You have 10 days to request a Formal Review if you have been arrested for DUI.

Call Lakeland DUI lawyer Thomas C. Grajek – 863-838-5549 cell

The post Lakeland DUI Attorney Thomas C. Grajek in the news after DUI trial this week. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.

Tampa undercover police officers fired for drinking at a strip club while on duty.

admin — Fri, 31 May 2013 23:36:39 +0000

Two undercover Tampa Police Department officers were fired today for hanging out and drinking in a strip club while on duty. Officer Ortega and Officer Madsen were in a strip club drinking. When it was time to go to work, the officers logged into work remotely from a computer. The were on the Rapid Offender Control undercover squad. As undercover officers they wore everyday street clothes and drove an unmarked car. Their duties required them to respond to violent and any in-progress crimes.

The officers reportedly were still drinking alcohol 4 hours into their shift and never left the strip club. The supervisors were having a hard time locating the officers. Once they found them in the strip club, the two undercover plainclothes cops appeared “highly intoxicated.” If these law enforcement officers had responded to the scene of a crime or high speed pursuit chase, it could have proven very dangerous for the public’s safety.

So what happens when law enforcement supervisors discover such an egregious violation or an officer’s duty to protect and serve? Well, in this case, the undercover cops were allowed to have someone drive them home and no investigation was conducted! Do cops let suspected drunk driver’s have a friend pick them up and drive them home or call a cab. So, the officers level of intoxication was never taken through a blood draw or breath test to determine their blood or breath alcohol level. And of course the internal affairs investigation concluded there was no cover up.

Eventually, an internal affairs investigation was conducted. While this was going on, the suspected cops kept their jobs, but in an administrative capacity and kept being paid. there was only one prior incident for Madsen in which the City of Tampa settled a lawsuit for $35,000.00 for shooting a man (holding a beer of all things) with a stun gun.

Everyday I am seeing more and more police officers being fired or disciplined. I just blogged about this the other day at http://www.flcrimedefense.com/2013/05/off-duty-lakeland-police-officer-charged-with-battery-after-alleged-road-rage-incident/

Recently, FDLE reportedly began an investigation of Lakeland Police Department. How can this affect your criminal case when you are disputing the allegations made by a police officer against you? These internal affairs investigations can affect the officer’s credibility on the stand especially when it is the officer’s word against you, the citizen accused of a crime. That is why I often file Public Record Requests to discover if there is something in an officer’s personnel file that may affect his credibility and improve the defense of your case.

That is just one example of what an aggressive criminal defense attorney does to fight for you in court!

CALL AN AGGRESSIVE LAWYER THAT IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP IN COURT AND

FIGHT FOR YOU !!!

THOMAS C. GRAJEK – CALL NOW 863-688-4606

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