PCB reinstates Police Chief J.R. Talamantez; allegations of wrongdoing unfounded
PANAMA CITY BEACH — During a press conference on June 24, the city announced that anonymous complaints against Police Chief J.R. Talamantez have been proven to be false. City Manager Drew Whitman said the chief has been reinstated from administrative leave.
On June 12, Mayor Stuart Tettemer received an anonymous complaint against Talamantez regarding inappropriate conduct. The allegations were anonymous, and remain so.
"It should be brought to your attention the inappropriate conduct of Chief Talamentez and one of his subordinates," the anonymous complaint says. "The two of them have been having a romantic relationship for the past three years. During this time, they have traveled to several training sessions and conferences out of town with one another. On these trips, they have engaged in heavy partying and sexual activities. Their actions have been noticed with other officers in the presence of them. Chief Talamantez has gone so as to promote her 2 times in the past three years."
During Monday's news conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department, Tettemer said that after an investigation, Talamantez was found innocent.
City Manager Drew Whitman ordered the investigation, in which 31 witnesses were interviewed.
"We interviewed 31 different witnesses to these allegations and out of 31 people, no one had proof to back up these allegations," Whitman said at the news conference. "The chief is a hard-working guy and I've watched him come up through the ranks. He does his job well and he cares about his troops. I think that the anonymous tip is a coward because he wanted to accuse our chief anonymously."
The whole situation upset Talamantez.
"It was wrong," Talamantez said during the news conference. "I understand that the city was just following a policy, but the fact that I had to sit here and be placed on administrative leave and have my badge and gun taken away from me because an anonymous coward could not attack my career or that sergeant's career, so they tried to attack our character. It is ridiculous that we are addressing this."
"I want to make sure that this never happens again," Talamantez added. "An anonymous complaint should never remove a supervisor or person of authority from their position without merit. My honor and integrity have shown with my career, so if you think a piece of paper is going to knock me off, you are wrong."
Previous coverage: PCB Chief of Police J.R. Talamantez placed on leave due to ongoing investigation
The city manager confirmed that Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed into law a bill concerning ethics complaints. They now must be sworn to and filed by someone who has first-hand knowledge of the alleged problem behavior. Complaints can no longer be anonymous.
"On behalf of the city council, we support our police chief," Tettemer said.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Police chief in Panama City Beach Florida reinstated
