School police chief facing allegations

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The police chief for one school district is facing several alarming allegations, causing concern for the district.

Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Charles Hurley is currently facing claims of sexual harassment that come from his own officers. According to Joe Puleo of the Fraternal Order of Police, the allegations come from officers who have been with the department for quite some time and who have risen up the ranks. "I am aware of two of them that have been filed against him," said Puleo of the complaints. "They are very serious [allegations]."

Puleo represents officers who protect Miami-Dade Schools. Puleo said, by phone, that the chief is also facing several complaints that have already been filed with the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. "Those [complaints] refer to fudging the criminal stats of the police department," Puleo said, "and instead of arresting juveniles, he has been giving directions to Baker Act the children."

A Baker Act occurs when someone is deemed to be mentally unstable, and taken to a facility against their will. According to Puleo, the complaints involved juveniles getting Baker Acted instead of arrested, even if the juveniles did not warrant being Baker Acted.

Chief Hurley has publicly commended his department for lowering crime statistics; however, some officers are saying those statistics were manipulated. Puleo said, "As far as I am concerned, personally, that is a serious allegation. I find that to be very disturbing to me. I have never seen an agency trying to lower their criminal stats by charging people with a Baker Act."

Puleo is now calling for Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the school board to take swift action. "They need to take all these allegations and everything and review them carefully and make some decision," he said.

Miami-Dade Schools released the following statement: "The complaints have been received and been forwarded to the appropriate departments. They are being processed."

According to a district spokesperson, the police chief is still running the department, and at this point he has not been removed from his position or reassigned.

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