Crime & Safety
Fired Columbia Police Captain Claims Interim Chief Plotted Against City Official
Columbia officials say a police captain was fired due to "secret or unauthorized recordings," insubordination and "malicious gossip" not his report of an alleged plot to remove a city official.
Columbia city officials deny claims made by a now fired police captain that he was released from his job for reporting a plot to plant drugs and a gun in a car of a city official.
Columbia Police Capt. Dave Navarro was fired Monday for "secret or unauthorized recordings" of a conversation between he and Interim Police Chief Ruben Santiago — which is a violation of city policy — insubordination to a supervisor, and "criticism and malicious gossip," according to a July 11th disciplinary action form provided by city officials.
City manager Teresa Wilson and Santiago spoke to members of the media after Navarro reported an alleged plot by Santiago to plant a stolen gun and cocaine in Assistant City Manager S. Allison Baker's car.
"The only reason I’m talking about this is because of the salacious allegations, the inappropriate-type commentary that I think he (Navarro) had initiated in the public domain," Wilson said.
"We’re not going to sit here and allow people to discredit the organization and make bald-face blatant lies," she said.
It is customary for the city to not talk about personnel matters.In an interview with WIS-TV, Navarro said Santiago approached him about a plan to get Baker fired in order for then police chief Randy Scott to take over Baker's duties and Santiago would become police chief.
These allegations, both Wilson and Santiago said, are fabricated and are not true.
"Never ever would I dream of doing something like that," Santiago said. "It makes no sense and it’s ridiculous on it’s face."
"There’s nothing to substantiate that from what I’ve seen," Wilson said.
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He said he didn't know enough about the allegations but did say he would have "some difficulty believing that either Randy Scott or Ruben Santiago would do that."
Wilson said Navarro first contacted her about his claims while she was attending the city's public hearing of the Bull Street development agreement on July 9.
Navarro was placed on an investigatory suspension without pay on July 10 after an internal investigation was launched.
Wilson said she was briefed on his suspension the next morning as well as "the fact that he had engaged in some shredding of documents that morning." Wilson said she did not know what the documents consisted of.
Both Wilson and Santiago say Navarro was told of a "lateral move" that would have assigned him as head of the department's West Division, which includes the Harbison/Irmo area.
Navarro was the captain of the department's Community Services Division.
They say the move was not a change in ranking or decrease in pay but a move that would enhance his career path.
"It’s baffling to us," Wilson said. "It’s a good move for someone who wants to learn and head the operations."
Santiago added the move was not punitive.
"It was very clear that this was an enhancement for his career path to be a deputy chief one day," Santiago said. "He would have been going from a supportive role to a being an actual region commander."
Both Wilson and Santiago say Navarro had been hesitant about the change which is part of the reason why he was written up for insubordination.
Santiago said Navarro's actions make him suspicious of the person he said was a friend.
"The timeline alone is retaliatory," Santiago said. "He went to SLED after we made it very clear to him this (job change) was happening. This is his action for that change."
"As a police officer, if you have any information about criminal activity we’re sworn to uphold the law," he said. "Why we he now state all these allegations that are ludicrous, insulting and slanderous unless he’s trying to cover something up."
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Santiago said the alleged plot is "is something that you would hear off television" and that the appointment of a permanent police chief is made by the city manager alone.
The two say the State Law Enforcement Division has been asked to do an independent investigation. In fact, Wilson said she welcomed the opportunity for SLED to investigate.
"Our community needs our officers at their best," Wilson said. "Let us continue to do the good work."
"I will not allow for distractions like this to impede the good work that they’re doing."
Navarro has also contacted SLED about his allegations, according to the report from WIS-TV.
The city's investigation is ongoing, Wilson said.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.