HOLLY HILL, Fla. — A Holly Hill City Commission meeting got heated Tuesday evening.

Tuesday's was the first City Commission meeting since an investigative report into alleged sexual misconduct within the city’s police department was released roughly two weeks ago.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Holly Hill recently released the results of in internal investigation into complaints of sexual harassment and a toxic work culture at the Holly Hill Police Department

  • City Manager Joe Forte said that the city did get an email last year from a former officer that contained allegations about the inner workings of the department

  • At Tuesday's Holly Hill City Commission meeting, community members expressed frustration with how the investigation was handled

  • Some community members have called for Forte to resign

There were four subjects of that investigation — three have resigned, including former Police Chief Jeff Miller, Capt. Chris Yates, and Sgt. Shannon Fountain.

A fourth department leader, Sgt. Tom Bentley, is facing disciplinary action.

City manager Joseph Forte said Tuesday that Bently was demoted from sergeant to master patrol officer, a position that resulted in a pay decrease of 10%.

People at Tuesday's Commission meeting, though, were demanding change, saying they were upset with the way the investigation was handled and they’re calling for Forte to resign.

City officials said that now is a time to make a fresh start.

“I wanted for us to be able to provide as much transparency as we possibly could,” Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via said. 

Forte releasing a statement Tuesday evening saying if he could go back and do things differently, he would.

“I do regret not advancing this to an internal affairs knowing what I know today," he said in the statement. "Going forward, all allegations will be thoroughly investigated and referred to internal affairs as necessary."

Former Holly Hill police officer Robert Milne attended Tuesday's meeting to hear what city officials had to say.

According to information from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Milne emailed Forte regarding his concerns that the department’s work environment was hostile and sexual in nature.

“These things are going to happen at any agency," Milne said. "It’s corruption until something comes forward."

At the time of his email, Milne said he was labeled a "disgruntled employee" and no action was taken.

At the end of the day, residents attending Tuesday's meeting said they just want the city to do the right thing.

“I’m a mom and a grandmother and I’m a woman," said Holly Hill resident Mary Theresa Nichols. "I don’t feel that any woman should have to go to work on a daily basis and be assaulted and harassed, and feel unsafe."

On Thursday, the community is invited to attend a meet-and-greet with the new Police Chief Byron Williams that starts at 6 p.m. at city hall.