LAKELAND | Another Lakeland police officer is under criminal investigation, although the department won't confirm what the case involves, Assistant Police Chief Larry Giddens said Monday.
A source, who asked not to be named, told The Ledger the allegations are of a sexual nature and happened while on duty.
The subject of the investigation, Julio Pagan, 31, was suspended with pay Friday night, Giddens said. The seriousness of the allegations facing Pagan caused Chief Lisa Womack to cancel her vacation plans.
"This is an active administrative and criminal investigation that is ongoing," Giddens said. "We will not be releasing any information about this case until the conclusion of the investigation."
Pagan, formerly of the Bartow Police Department, was hired by LPD in 2011 and is paid $43,789, according to LPD records. He did not return a call for comment Monday.
Pagan worked as a Bartow police officer from 2006 to 2011, when he left on good terms to take the job at LPD, according to Bartow's records.
LPD Detective Nick Marolda, who also is the president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, said he is aware of the investigation and said the union is waiting to hear the outcome of the criminal investigation before taking any steps to represent Pagan.
Following department policy, the criminal investigation into Pagan will be conducted before the administrative investigation begins.
The allegations are not part of the ongoing sexual misconduct scandal that has plagued the department for months, Giddens said. "This is a separate incident."Pagan's case comes as the department wraps up its monthslong investigation into sexual misconduct on and off duty by numerous officers and city employees. This new case also comes after numerous reforms in policy and procedure were put into place by Womack, who emphasized officer ethics at a recent presentation to the Lakeland Police Advisory Commission.
The advisory board is compiling its final report to present to the City Commission next month. The commission, which is made up of volunteers, was created by Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields and is tasked with reviewing a multitude of problems at LPD, including the large sexual-misconduct case involving numerous employees, and recommending reforms.
