A Florida city commissioner surprised the crowd last week during an awards ceremony for Broward County police officers when he confronted a deputy who he said had previously “falsely arrested” him.
Video posted to social media that was widely shared shows Tamarac City Commissioner Mike Gelin take the microphone at the end of the awards ceremony and ask Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Deputy Joshua Gallardo, who was honored with the deputy of the month award, to come back to the front.
{mosads}“Joshua Gallardo, will you come down for a second? It’s good to see you again,” Gelin said, before laying into the deputy for what he alleges was a false arrest in 2015. “You probably don’t remember me, but you’re the police officer who falsely arrested me four years ago.”
Gelin alleged that Gallardo lied on the police report.
“I believe you’re a rogue police officer,” Gelin said. “You’re a bad police officer, and you don’t deserve to be here.”
Gallardo, holding the award in his hand, smiled and nodded as the onlookers stood awkwardly.
Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez, who was standing in front along with other city officials, told ABC 10 WPLG that she was “completely shocked.”
“It was supposed to be a wonderful morning. We were giving the awards for the BSO deputies of the month. It was supposed to be a feel-good time,” she told the news outlet.
Gomez in the video then took back the microphone and said everyone appreciated the work of the sheriff’s office.
“Thank you for your service to our community, we appreciate you. Please take that away from today,” she concluded.
ABC News reports Gallardo arrested Gelin in 2015 for resisting arrest without violence, alleging he refused to remain clear of a crime scene. Gelin did not hold elected office at the time. The charges were later dropped.
“When I shared my video with the state attorney’s office to prove that I did nothing wrong, they declined to file charges against me,” Gelin told WPLG. “I had a productive conversation with the sheriff yesterday and I will try to resolve things and move forward.”
The incident drew ire from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association, which said Gelin’s remarks were insulting.
“What should have been a proud moment for Deputy Galardo and the citizens of Tamarac was quickly extinguished by City Commissioner Mike Gelin,” the police union said in a statement to ABC News.
The Hill has reached out to the police union and Gelin for comment.