LARGO – The city of Largo announced March 11 that Fire Chief Mike Wallace has submitted his resignation.
Wallace has been under an internal investigation since Jan. 29. The city has been looking into complaints about his performance, specifically regarding “overall morale (and) overall leadership,” according to Human Resources Director Susan Sinz.
Wallace listed his reason for leaving as retirement in his notice to the city. The notice comes ahead of Largo’s release the results of its investigation.
“It should be complete next week,” Sinz said.
City Manager Mac Craig told the Largo Leader last month that the city was investigating “more than one complaint,” but would not give details on nature of the investigation.
Wallace’s retirement will be effective Monday, April 1. Deputy Chief Shelby Willis will take over as acting chief until a replacement is hired, Sinz said.
Wallace was hired as fire chief on Oct. 15, 2007. Prior to that, he worked his way through the ranks at Largo Fire Rescue. He became deputy fire chief for the city of Seminole Fire Rescue in March 2004.