LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The City of Lynn Haven has suspended Police Chief Ricky Ramie for 25 days without pay after he pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
According to the city, on December 30, 2023, at 3:48 a.m., Chief Ramie was off-duty and operating his vehicle when he struck a parked car. He received two civil traffic violations, including failure to immediately report an accident, which resulted in a $115.00 civil fine, and failure to report the accident to the police, which also resulted in a $115.00 civil fine.
City Manager Vickie Gainer said on February 24, 2024, Chief Ramie paid both fines and arranged for the damage to the victim’s car to be repaired.
In addition to these charges, Chief Ramie was charged with a traffic violation for leaving the scene of an accident causing damage in excess of $50, which was resolved in court on Thursday with a plea of no contest.
Gainer said that Chief Ramie did not admit guilt due to his plea of ”no contest” and that the prosecutor and Judge Mercer agreed to enter no verdict and find him not guilty of any crime. Gainer added that his conduct remains unacceptable.
Because of this incident, she is suspending Chief Ramie for 25 days from August 23 to September 16 without pay, Gainer said.
In his absence, Deputy Chief Steve Enfinger will serve as acting police chief.
By the end of the day on Thursday, Chief Ramie must surrender his police identification card, all issued firearms, his issued vehicle, his COLH city access card and his city-issued laptop.
Gainer said that during the period of his suspension, Ramie is not authorized to engage in police activities and is not allowed to carry a firearm under his police identification card.
According to the City Council, Chief Ramie is also prohibited from having any contact with the City of Lynn Haven Police Department or its personnel and is not permitted to access any City servers or computer resources. Chief Ramie is also prohibited from entering any City facilities or property unless he is a citizen/resident of the City of Lynn Haven acting on City business or is specifically directed or requested to do so by the City Manager. Violations of these policies may result in further disciplinary action up to and including termination.
“Further lapses in judgment by Chief Ramie will not be tolerated. Going forward, any violation of city policy, any unacceptable action, whether intentional or not, that demonstrates a lack of professional judgment or raises questions about his professionalism and ability to function at the highest levels of leadership will result in his immediate termination,” Gainer said.
Click here for more information on Chief Ramie’s court date.
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