DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - Davie Police Chief Dale Engle has been placed on administrative leave over some alleged disparaging remarks about the sexual orientation of a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy who died due to complications from COVID-19.
In a letter sent to the Davie town administrator, Mike Tucker with the Broward County Fraternal Order of Police said that Davie Police employees who expressed concerns over their risk of contracting the coronavirus were sent to a back parking lot on April 7, where Engle berated them and called their concerns “baseless.”
Tucker wrote that Engle claimed BSO Deputy Shannon Bennett contracted and died from the virus because he was a “homosexual who attended homosexual [sexual] events.”
Tucker spoke with 7News on Sunday.
“I think it is inappropriate at best,” he said. “If these remarks are true, and these things were said, I found them to be somewhat confusing.”
Bennett, a 12-year veteran with BSO, was openly gay and was set to marry his partner in December.
He died at the hospital on April 2 after, officials said, he tested positive for COVID-19.
After the incident, Engle sent an email to the department that read, “On Tuesday, April 7, I attended Charlie shift briefing to address concerns brought forward by the FOP. There, I made comments concerning the death of BSO Deputy Bennett as reported in the local media. These comments were relative to COVID-19 and personal protective equipment. My intent was to provide as much information to personnel as possible. If my comments were taken out of context, they were not intended to be derogatory. If anyone would like to discuss, please contact me directly.”
Tucker said those officers who witnessed Engle say these remarks were taken aback.
“I think that the members that were present, the officers that were there, were somewhat speechless, and that was expressed to us, brought to our attention that some found it shocking,” he said. “What some found disturbing in what was reported to us was that it was the sexual orientation of Deputy Bennett as being homosexual that was somehow related the COVID-19 virus and his ultimate passing.”
Late Saturday night, a spokesperson for the Town of Davie confirmed Engle has been placed on leave. A statement read in part, “Police Chief Dale Engle was placed on administrative leave pending further review of allegations brought forward by the Fraternal Order of Police. The allegations will be investigated in accordance with the Town’s Equal Employment Opportunity compliance policy by outside counsel.”
Tucker said he hopes Davie officials will use an outside source to conduct a thorough investigation.
“If this is true, and these remarks were made, and there was some sort of correlation that was attempted to be drawn from Deputy Bennett being homosexual and that somehow related to his tragic passing from COVID-19, then obviously we would find that extremely disturbing,” he said.
The controversial comments spread fast online. As of Sunday night, thousands of people had already signed a petition calling for Engle to be fired.
If these allegations are true, the disgusting insinuation made by Chief Engle is not becoming of the badge he wears. He should be stripped of his rank for making such divisive comments that do not reflect the inclusive values of America's law enforcement.https://t.co/sDSjyBelzy
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) April 12, 2020
Meanwhile, the National Fraternal Order of Police weighed in on the matter on Twitter, Sunday evening.
Engle has not replied to 7News’ calls for comment.
7News also reached out to Bennett’s brother, Darren Bennett, on Sunday. He said his family has no comment.
The town of Davie said outside counsel is set to investigate the matter, which is what the FOH had requested.
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