By: Sharon Aron Baron
The Broward County Police Benevolent Association announced Thursday it was withdrawing its endorsement of Tamarac City Commissioner Mike Gelin after his comments to an officer at a public city commission meeting.
On Wednesday, in an event honoring Broward Sheriff’s Office “Officers of the Month” at Tamarac city hall, Commissioner Mike Gelin took the microphone and asked Deputy Joshua Gallardo to come back to the front of the chamber.
“It’s good to see you again,” Commissioner Gelin said to Deputy Gallardo. “You probably don’t remember me, but you’re the police officer who falsely arrested me four years ago. You lied on the police report. I believe you’re a rogue police officer. You’re a bad police officer, and you don’t deserve to be here.”
Commissioner Gelin received the endorsement of BCPBA back in 2018, but in a statement today by Broward County PBA President Rod Skirvin, he said that as a public official, Commissioner Gelin’s behavior towards a Broward Sheriff’s deputy was unacceptable.
“The Broward County PBA will not endorse any elected official who treats law enforcement officers with a complete lack of respect and common courtesy the way Commissioner Gelin did in his official duties representing the City of Tamarac.”