Four already on payroll in new police department

Despite agency being months from operation, salaries being paid by federal funds

PEMBROKE PARK — Pembroke Park’s new police department isn’t up and running yet, but four officers are already on the payroll — including a former Broward Sheriff ’s deputy who was fired by the agency for using excessive force.

A sergeant and one officer were hired in

April and two more officers were hired in June. All four are now working administrative duties and earning an annual salary of $50,000. They’ll earn more once they hit the road.

Their salaries are being paid with funds from the federal government’s 2021 American Rescue Plan Act that were originally meant for COVID-19 relief but can now be used to fund various governmental services, including police salaries.

The start-up date for the Pembroke Park Police Department is projected to happen by February, but “I’m pushing for any date sooner than that,” said Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs.

One of the four officers is Ronald Thurston, who was fired earlier this year from his last job at the Broward Sheriff ’s Office for excessive force.

Thurston is a politically active Democrat who took to Facebook to list the number of black employees in various divisions at the Sheriff ’s Office and followed it with the message “Vote or die.”

His supporters say Sheriff Gregory Tony put him on desk duty because Thurston does not support Tony’s election. Demonstrators rallied to support him. But in February he was fired after he reportedly used his arm to shove the head of a handcuffed man against a patrol vehicle after threatening to stun him with a Taser.

Jacobs said Thurston had been a good deputy for decades at the agency and “politics in law enforcement are very nasty. If you are not liked they’ll get rid of you. Honestly, the guy is a great guy, He’s very solid, I do not have any concerns for anyone’s safety in the town.”

Chief David Howard agreed, saying Thurston “had a stellar career.”

Jacobs said the department will ultimately have 21 sworn police officers.