Former South Miami Chief of Police: In his own words.

Former South Miami Chief of Police Orlando Martinez de Castro.
Former South Miami Chief of Police Orlando Martinez de Castro.
Former South Miami Chief of Police Orlando Martinez de Castro.

We caught up with Former S.M. Chief of Police Orlando Martinez de Castro after his long awaited victory in the 3rd District Court of Appeals. As you may recall, he had sued the city for breach of his 5-year Employment Agreement.

How do you feel after your long awaited victory?

I feel vindicated for the second time however, it is sad that the taxpayers of South Miami could have been spared the enormous cost of this unnecessary litigation. For whatever political agendas the Commission might have had, if they wanted to terminate me without cause, which they ultimately did, they could have done so as long as they complied with the terms of my Employment Agreement and paid out the balance of my contract in good faith. That would have resulted in a fraction of what the city will be paying which now includes attorneys fees plus their potential multiplier.

Do you think the city will attempt to continue to stall your payment?

Again, the taxpayers will be left with the burden of paying not only additional attorney’s fees but interest on almost a half a million dollars already awarded.

Would you consider having your old job back now that you have won?

No. I would never consider returning as the Chief of Police for the City of South Miami.


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9 COMMENTS

  1. The Chief had a long history and reputation of being honest. This didn’t work with the Mayor and his buddies. The citizens lost when this Chief left. What a shame.

  2. There seems to be a disconnect between the Mayor’s memory and that of Mr. Martinez de Castro. The mayor wrote this a few days ago: “In January 2013, I cast a vote of no confidence in the Police Chief, joined by Commissioners Harris and Welsh. The City Manager offered to pay out the Police Chief’s contract, and allow him to resign with dignity, but the Chief refused. Eventually, the Chief was terminated and he sued the City.” I do not understand why there is support for a man who acted unethically when he was Chief of the South Miami Police.

  3. There seems to be a disconnect between the Mayor’s memory and Mr. Martinez de Castro. The mayor wrote this a few days ago: “In January 2013, I cast a vote of no confidence in the Police Chief, joined by Commissioners Harris and Welsh. The City Manager offered to pay out the Police Chief’s contract, and allow him to resign with dignity, but the Chief refused. Eventually, the Chief was terminated and he sued the City.” I do not understand why there is support for a man who acted unethically when he was Chief of the South Miami Police.

  4. Sadly I lived in South Miami when Phil, Walter and Bob decided to wage war against Orlando. So how many City Managers is that? How many Police Chiefs is that? Meanwhile when S Miami had the opportunity to annex a chunk of Dade County… for free, that includes the Marina Lakes and new Warehouse Art District… IT said nope. We would rather spend our money on frivolous lawsuits.

    Btw S Miamians, you want to ensure the City never suffers such a reign again? Push for annexation in order to expand the borders of S Miami. The reason the 3 stooges were against such a move was because it would make it almost impossible for them to keep a political hold on an expanded electorate. Their base would be watered down.

    Anyways… good for Orlando! Great guy who really worked hard to move South Miami forward, just like Hector Mirable.

    Orlando… don’t spend all your money in one place! ;-)

  5. I think the citizens and taxpayers got what they deserve. First they allowed the best police chief that South Miami ever has be railroaded disrespected and fired. Second, they re-elected the thieves and morons that fired him. The city of Pleasant Living my ass! Good luck suckers!!!!

  6. I have been following the case since the beginning and the more that I read and hear about it, there is not doubt that this case has been a political vendetta. Mr. Orlando Martinez de Castro deserves payment according to his labor contract. The City must face it.

  7. Thank you Ms. Shelley for your astute observations. This city commission should demand, on behalf of their constituent’s, a full accounting of all expenses that have been incurred in this case. Our mayor has publicly stated that he saved the taxpayers of this city $2.6 million so now let him give us the actual amount that was frivolously spent with appeals. Yes, there is an election coming up and we’ll remember all of this when we go to the polls to vote.

  8. Get ready, taxpayers of South Miami. You may get charged even more money for bad decisions by at least three of the people who now sit on the dais. The City Attorney floated the idea of taking the case to the Florida Supreme Court during the last Commission meeting. I guess it is any stall tactic necessary to avoid “noise” about the ex-chief during the upcoming election. It is also gratifying to read that the ex-chief has no desire to return to the city. This, despite the propaganda to the contrary in flyers distributed by bicycle and blog during the election four years ago.

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