Gainesville Police Chief Lonnie Scott resigns after being told he would be fired

Nora O'Neill, Gainesville Sun
Updated ·3 min read

Gainesville Police Department Chief Lonnie Scott submitted a letter of resignation Monday to City Manager Cynthia Curry, making clear he was resigning in lieu of being fired by Curry.

Scott’s final day as chief will be March 29, after which Assistant Chief Nelson Moya will take over as the city searches for a permanent replacement.

Scott said in his resignation letter that he was informed by Curry on Feb. 24 of her intent to terminate his employment. He said he is unsure as to why he was going to be fired.

“I remain unclear as to why you believe this is necessary,” he wrote to Curry. “I recognize, however, that as an at-will employee that the decision is yours.”

Chief of the Gainesville Police Department Lonnie Scott address questions from the media during a press conference revealing the findings of an internal investigation into the Terrell Bradley incident involving a GPD K-9 unit, at the GPD headquarters in Gainesville FL. Sept. 8, 2022.
Chief of the Gainesville Police Department Lonnie Scott address questions from the media during a press conference revealing the findings of an internal investigation into the Terrell Bradley incident involving a GPD K-9 unit, at the GPD headquarters in Gainesville FL. Sept. 8, 2022.

According to a spokesperson for the city, Curry deliberated over the state of the department for months, particularly on challenges related to communications, employee morale and staffing shortages.

“I do not hold Chief Scott solely responsible,” Curry said in a statement. “However, my level of confidence in his ability at this point in time is not sufficient to allow him to continue in this role. The evolution and growth of this agency, which is critical to the safety of our community, requires change in the form of fresh perspective and new leadership.”

Curry released a memo in October that said GPD employees were concerned about leadership.

Employees told her they had staffing, safety, pay and leadership concerns, among others. At the time, she wrote that some feel as if "the department is crumbling around them."

More Gainesville coverage: City memo shows Gainesville police concerned about leadership, climate and pay

In a memo sent to Mayor Harvey Ward, Curry said she has decided it is time to move GPD in a “different direction.” She highlighted Scott’s history at the department, including 40 years of service and his work with “neighborhoods, citizen groups, businesses and organizations.”

Scott touched on his achievements in his resignation letter, citing his work on gun violence prevention programs in the city, improving communication within the department, and the recent slowing of GPD’s attrition rate.

Scott requested a severance of six weeks pay.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity you provided me with to serve the citizens of Gainesville and would appreciate any consideration you give my aforementioned requests,” he wrote.

In a statement to The Sun, Ward said he supports Curry's decision.

"Chief Scott has been — and continues to be — a valuable member of our team. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. The chief position works for the city manager, and Manager Curry has indicated that it’s time for new direction. I support her and her decision and look forward to new direction and vision at GPD.

"We have an excellent, nationally-accredited department that does terrific work for our neighbors and I expect that will continue to be the case. I will do everything in my power to continue to support our women and men at GPD, and all our city workers."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: GPD chief resigns, was told his employment would be terminated