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ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is now looking for a new chief to head up the Orlando Fire Department.
Orlando Fire Chief Roderick Williams is resigning after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a report saying the law firm hired by the city of Orlando failed to conduct a “fair and objective investigation” in to a female assistant fire chief’s sexual harassment claims.
“That’s the conundrum for us. We had a very comprehensive investigation done by an independent attorney who interviewed over 25 people from OFD,” said Dyer. “The EEOC, and I’m not going to criticize their report, we’re going to take it as fact, didn’t interview anybody to my knowledge. It’s a very vague report in terms of their determination.”
That female assistant filed the complaints about Williams two years ago, claiming she was passed over for promotions, threatened and harassed. She alleged Williams “used his position of authority to make unwanted physical contact with her.”
Williams denies those claims. The report says the chief would tell her “you’re so sexy,” and “I wish you were mine.” That female assistant chief also filed claims against two assistant chiefs who the mayor says still work for the Orlando Fire Department.
“So at this point we are determining the appropriate discipline. The two deputy chiefs will be disciplined. It’s a unique situation so we’re going to take our time and do it right,” said Dyer.
In the meantime, the mayor said they’re making changes.
“We’re going to take this as an opportunity to do a department wide change of culture. This is a very male dominated profession. We want to make sure OFD is the number one fire department in terms of being an inclusive safe and welcome work place for female.”