Hillsborough County bans workers from Motorcycle Clubs after fight warrant issued
TAMPA, FL ( November 18, 2016) — Hillsborough County is
banning employees from participating in certain biker clubs and other so called
criminal groups after a firefighter associated with the Outlaws motorcycle club
was accused of taking part in a bar fight in Key West.
In a memo Friday, County Administrator Mike Merrill outlined a new policy effective immediately barring membership in groups or gangs considered criminal organizations by the state or federal government.
Involvement in these organizations "will not be tolerated
as these affiliations are contrary to the mission of public service,"
Merrill wrote. "This directive is a reminder of our continuing obligation
to represent all the citizens of Hillsborough County."
The list of banned organizations is guided by the 2015
FBI National Gang Report and it includes the Outlaws, as well as Crips, Bloods,
Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and the
Pagans.
Violating the rule can result in termination of
employment.
The announcement comes after an arrest warrant was issued
in Key West for Clinton Neal Walker, a Hillsborough County firefighter and
suspected member of the Outlaws motorcycle club. He is accused of taking part
in a September bar fight involving as many as 15 Outlaws members.
Walker, 33, of Bradenton, is wanted on a misdemeanor
battery charge. According to an arrest warrant, Walker and other Outlaws
members beat up the manager and an employee at a downtown Key West bar.
Walker was placed on paid administrative leave pending
the outcome of an internal investigation.
According to the warrant, Walker is a "confirmed
active member" of the Outlaws, considered by authorities to be the state's
dominant motorcycle club. It is strongest in South Florida but has chapters in
Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Outlaws MC Clubhouse in Florida
According to the FBI, the Outlaws use their motorcycle
clubs as conduits for crime, including trafficking in weapons and drugs.
Hillsborough County officials have known for months that
Walker and at least one other firefighter were suspected members of the
Outlaws. In August, Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Jones said the county was close to
issuing a policy regarding association with biker groups but discussions were
complicated by concerns over constitutional rights.
Jones said Thursday those conversations were on hold
while county officials wait to see if the Florida State Fire Marshal asks
lawmakers in Tallahassee to address the issue. He said participation in biker
gangs by fire and rescue personnel was a "broad issue that impacts fire
departments across Florida."
Apparently, the county decided not to wait on the state
to act.
A proposal to disqualify employment of firefighters with
"gang affiliations or known terrorist group affiliations" was sent to
the State Fire Marshal in July by the Florida Firefighters Employment Standards
and Training Council.
Existing disqualifications range from tobacco use to a
felony conviction punishable by one year in prison.
There are currently no formal plans to update the list of
disqualifications to include participation in a motorcycle gang, said Joel
Brown, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshall. But Brown acknowledged there is
an "ongoing conversation."
Whether that leads to statewide or local changes remains
to be seen.
"It's fair to say the division is welcome to any and
all conversations that would reinforce the high level of integrity of fire
service in the state of Florida," Brown said. "We want to be very
active in the conversation to continue to ensure that."
The issue is not isolated to Hillsborough. At least one
firefighter in Pasco County is a member of the Pagans motorcycle club.
Pasco County spokeswoman Tambrey Laine said there was no
existing policy or legal basis to take action against the firefighter. The
county is seeking guidance from the legislature, she said, and "is open to
reviewing policies from other jurisdictions."
The city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County do not
prohibit employees from participating in motorcycle clubs.
SOURCE: Tampa Bay Times