City documents: Firing of former Tampa assistant police chief did not involve discrimination

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City documents: Firing of former Tampa assistant police chief did not involve discrimination​

A Human Resources investigation report from the city of Tampa says that the firing of Ruth Cate has nothing to do with discrimination after she was let go in March.

Author: Bryce Johnson
Published: 1:13 PM EDT April 29, 2026
Updated: 1:13 PM EDT April 29, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. — Claims of discrimination in the firing of a former Tampa Police Department assistant police chief have been dismissed.
A Human Resources investigation report from the city of Tampa states that the firing of Ruth Cate has nothing to do with discrimination after she was let go in March for "failing to meet the expectations required for the role."

After informing Cate of her firing, officials say she requested the opportunity to retire and utilize accrued annual leave. In recognition of her 29 years of service, she was granted that opportunity and the ability to communicate her retirement to the staff on Monday.
However, TPD said Cate instead raised concerns, alleging retaliation and indicating that she had retained legal counsel. The department then placed Cate on administrative leave to allow Human Resources to review her concerns.
In the documents, it states Cate felt she was discriminated against because of her age, sex and race, and retaliated against for assisting a TPD officer who raised discrimination concerns in keeping her K9.
The HR report concluded with this statement:

"Based on a preponderance of the evidence, a violation of Article B1.1 of the City of Tampa Personnel Manual could not be substantiated. Ms. Cate was an appointed unclassified employee, and therefore serves at the pleasure of the administration. No evidence was provided to support her allegation of retaliation or discrimination."

In a separate memo, TPD Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated that Cate's firing was based on lack of leadership performance, judgment, communication and loss of confidence in alignment at the executive level.

"I take allegations of discrimination and retaliation seriously, but I want to be clear that Ruth Cate's clams are not supported by facts," he said.
 
Count your days with TPD Bercaw, Your time is coming to an end sooner than you think.
 
Nobody cares about Ruth. She was a joke.
If a white male had made the same decisions as her, they would’ve been demoted a long time ago.
 
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