BARTOW, FL — Bartow City Manager Mike Herr announced in a letter to the media Friday evening that Police Chief Stephen Walker resigned following an employee complaint and a preliminary inquiry into allegations against him.
According to Herr, the city received the complaint from an employee on Aug. 12 regarding Walker, who was serving as police chief at the time. A preliminary inquiry found the allegations credible, prompting Herr and City Attorney Sean Parker to confront Walker on Aug. 14.
While Walker did not admit to any wrongdoing, he chose to resign effective immediately, according to the city.
Due to the nature of the alleged offenses, the city has launched an Internal Affairs investigation under IA Case #26-05. Officials have not publicly disclosed the specific allegations against Walker.
Walker’s resignation occurred earlier this month, and the Internal Affairs investigation is expected to last several weeks. Once completed, the city said the results will be released and supporting documents will be made available to the public as permitted by law.
Deputy Chief Kyle Dowdy is currently serving as the officer in charge of the Bartow Police Department. The city will also contract with Strategic Government Resources to recruit and hire a new police chief.
No additional details regarding the allegations were released. The announcement was made public 14 days after Walker’s resignation and shortly before the close of business Friday, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
SOURCE: Bartow City Manager Mike Herr
