In April, the police department released censored reports alleging that 12 firefighters were implicated in drug use. One has since left the department. The fire department then began an internal investigation to determine if the employees had violated any of the agency's 66 workplace rules. Assistant Fire Chief Carl Saxe, who is heading the probe, hopes to have a preliminary investigation concluded by Sept. 15. Fire Chief Debra Amesqua will then make decisions about discipline.
Officials have yet to provide any details about the probe to the public.
Questions of racial bias have surrounded the investigation after media reports said that all four suspended firefighters are black while the seven still on the job are white. I never have and never will. So far, there have been no criminal charges filed against the firefighters, News3 reports. Indictments Filed In Tavern Drug Bust Copyright 2000 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report.