We appreciate your reaction to Cela's termination. Everything you said was correct and made sense. But, Cela didn't get fired for what he did during the check point, Cela was fired for lying to investigators during an IA investigation. Cela contradicted himself several times during the IA. If Cela had manned up and said, "I screwed up Sarge, I let my buddy through the checkpoint drunk, I know better" He would have received some time off and a letter in his file. But he didn't...he lied.
Don't forget, Cela was on the Sergeant's list...Is this who we want supervising people some day? Let's not forget why he was fired from Naples PD...He stole another officer's vest from his locker...and again, lied about it when questioned...Cela also had a GTA charge as a juvenile that was exsponged...Yes, he stole a car when he was a teenager...If you ask me, he should have never been hired in the first place...Just another product of the good ole' affirmative action...He was a recipe for disaster folks.
Peace...
Four Cents,
Look at the supervisors that we have now! We have one that popping oxy's and a former Sergeant that beat up a handcuffed prisoner while going through roid rage. Some of our former and present supervisor are no angels either! There are also supervisors that came from departments of north with very very questionable backgrounds.
I could see your arguement that affirmative action exist at FMPD if the deaprtment had 50% or more minority representation, but it doesn't. I am not positive but I believe all of the minority supervisor at FMPD have BA/BS or advance degrees. So I ask you Four cents, who is getting preference at FMPD?
*Cela admitted releasing the driver ONLY after he below over the legal limit...on a not admissible/certified machine. *Cela admitted he mentioned the .09 to several other officers during the checkpoint, and did not attempt to hide he misjudged the clues. *Cela admitted he was not proficient with the machine, which can be a difficult tool to use if not properly trained.
The only conflicting statement I noticed was that the rookie officer MAY have noticed a different BAC. Being a rookie is no excuse, EVERYONE including the- Citizens know that anything over a .08 is ILLEGAL why did he simply release the driver. If he released the driver that he stated he believed below a .15, escorted him to his car, his should be reprimanded. He is just as guilty for neglect of duty, failure to act, failure to notify a superior, etc... So no the punishment does not fit.
The IA stated they actually tested his machine. Since Cela rarely used the machine, what was the last BAC recorded...I assume they would have seized the machine early in the investigation since that is the reason for the IA.
It is possible that .15 BAC could have been displayed... but only from a past test. If Cela had the driver to blow and the machine was not ready or turned on, than the new sample would not have been recorded, which makes since why Cela would have to re adjust his position and/or machine.
Now if the rookie was standing next to the machine/driver the entire time, and observed the machine taking the final sample, in which it clearly displayed the results I could understand that...than Cela was wrong for not following up. Legally we could not keep him on scene or from driving. The rookie admitted the screen was covered and another number was hidden. A .09 compared to .015 should be a noticeable different. If the rookie looked over what he so obviously observed he needs to be dealt with....no one should be fired. For what I have heard, Cela stated he does not know the driver, and would not recognize him today if he saw him at Publix. We all know Cela loved Traffic and DUI's and didnt take no Sh*t, and would write anybody.
I believe Cela did not interview well during the questioning, especially after three separate interviews where he is being asked the same questions given in a different format. The is the IA officer job...to dig and dig! IA detective are not bad officers, but it is definitely not a position I would want to have. I could not believe the stress/influence they are under...As a former question we all now the techniques of questioning which can be very intimadation to a nervous individual.
It took FMPD one month to complete a unfair Swiss cheese report that does not cover all the facts. This is also a form of being untruthful.
To Cela- Brother you fights this till the end, make them sweat, make them second guest, make them apologize to you, your family, friends, and than cash that back pay check...Collect your employment, finish your MS degree, and come back bigger and better! This will not be the first or last time FMPD has apologized to a victim.
"Don't forget, Cela was on the Sergeant's list...Is this who we want supervising people some day? Let's not forget why he was fired from Naples PD...He stole another officer's vest from his locker...and again, lied about it when questioned...Cela also had a GTA charge as a juvenile that was exsponged...Yes, he stole a car when he was a teenager...If you ask me, he should have never been hired in the first place...Just another product of the good ole' affirmative action...He was a recipe for disaster folks. "
Yes Cela was on the SGT list, which made him a even bigger target, especially because of Affirmative Action comments like the one listed. He was a overall good officer who deserved the same opportunity. Not everyone was bless to grow up in a prefect environment. Cela has used his skills and opporunities to better himself.
What is the point of bring up the past, he is not a criminal. But knowing this did you treat him any different or did you back him up as a fellow LEO and brother... Why would you turn your back now? Would you say this to his face?
We appreciate your reaction to Cela's termination. Everything you said was correct and made sense. But, Cela didn't get fired for what he did during the check point, Cela was fired for lying to investigators during an IA investigation. Cela contradicted himself several times during the IA. If Cela had manned up and said, "I screwed up Sarge, I let my buddy through the checkpoint drunk, I know better" He would have received some time off and a letter in his file. But he didn't...he lied.
Don't forget, Cela was on the Sergeant's list...Is this who we want supervising people some day? Let's not forget why he was fired from Naples PD...He stole another officer's vest from his locker...and again, lied about it when questioned...Cela also had a GTA charge as a juvenile that was exsponged...Yes, he stole a car when he was a teenager...If you ask me, he should have never been hired in the first place...Just another product of the good ole' affirmative action...He was a recipe for disaster folks.
Peace...
Seems like you know an awful lot about the island boy! You always up his butt like that? As far as affirmative action, I do believe that he had a four year degree!!!! Whish is about four more years of schooling that you will never have!
This could not have been said any better. Cela IS a great officer, and yes he did love his job and took it very serious. I have worked several checkpoints with Cela, and between him and Yates (when he was T1), they did an excellent job. Cela was always on point and did not take any s*it! I hope he fights this as hard as possible, and FMPD has to pay hard for this. This incident just goes to prove that it is not what you know in this department, its WHO you know....and in some cases who you f*ck! Cela I hope to see you in a uniform again real soon. Keep your head up
The End.
jimmy hart wrote:
by Two Cents on 08/03/10 14:27:50
Serious Talk,
As a recently retired FMPD Officer of 20 plus years I have worked side by side with Officer Cela. Cela loved his career especially being a member of the Traffic Unit and would not purposely do anything to risk that. Cela may not have been everyone's favorite person or the go to guy, yet he stayed truth to himself and never played the political game. Everything he got was EARNED...and he was rightfuly proud of it.
After reviewing the IA report, I believe FMPD was wrong for terminating Cela based on the there reason of conflicting statements and instead should have either transferred him back to the road or offeredr re-training.
The report nick-picked several areas during the FST inwhich I'm sure we all have made the same/ similar mistakes during the course of our career. Kolak's statement stated he observed several errors during the FST's which should be treated as a training issue or lack of Training...that needed to resolved- not terminated. FMPD has invested alot of $$$ into Cela ...why let that good/expensive training go?
Everyone has had a bad/off beat day and have made a judgement call...they we have later regretted. No one is perfect no matter how many years you have worked...Please do not forget where you/we all have come from, we should never stop learning, everyday should be a training day!
Based on the report, Cela never denied the driver blew above the legal limit on the PBT. But since the driver passed the FST, and was verbally told he was not under arrest, and was only asked to blow into the PBT for training purposes...no matter what the driver blew the DUI investigation was completed and the PBT is not admissable in court. Unless the driver blew into the INTOX 8000 after being placed under arrest, and read his implied consent could his BAC be used against him...but we all should know that.
Based on the report, Cela mentioned the BAC to other officers a few moments later inwhich he admitted to misjudging the clue points. Cela stated he had not recieved formal training and was not proficent with the instrument...which is a training issue. Why would he lie...he was showing concern that same night.
FMPD made a bad judgement call and is going to have a hard time proving their case.
Prove Cela recieved the PBT training where a Supervisor has reviewed and approved his proficiency.
Prove the PBT was certified on the date of the offense NOT after during the IA. Prove the driver blew either the .09 or the .015.
As you should know...we do not make arrest just on blood shot watery eyes, or the smell of alcohol...was there any other clues such as his driving, or even walking while exiting or returning to the car that he must observe DURING THE DUI INVESTIGATION.
We all have had borderline DUI's why is this one any different? The IA report does not state there was any relationship between Cela and the driver...he had no incentive to not make an arrest.
The IA report stated the event took place around 2am, what about the other DUI arrest he made that same night?
Now to be fair, Cela should have notified his supervisor prior to releasing the driver, but the other officer is just as guilty for allowing the driver to return to his auto if he had any suspicion of him being unfit.
Inconclusion, Cela is a good.... not prefect officer...No one is perfect...We are a family and he needs our support!
CELA....FIGHT THIS TIL THE END MY BROTHER!
BEAUTIFUL!! 2 CENT BEAUTIFUL!! BABY..YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH BABY!!
Sgt. Lehman wrote: It is too bad that there are so many P**sy on FMPD now. If you want to talk about me you really should name yourself. If you are to scared to do it on this site just call me. Come on boys I am calling you out. Grow a pair or take them back from you boyfriends..
Give it a rest Marty and be happy that you got a way with one! If Charlie did not cover for you, you would have been toast.JS
YEAH!! tough guy listen to your buddy, JS, he know's what's best for you,,also do us all a favor and stay off this site,it is making you mor crazier
