A group of community leaders and former Osceola County deputies claim Hispanics are underrepresented within leadership positions at the sheriff's office. They hope a new sheriff will help Hispanics move up among the ranks.

  • Group: Osceola County Sheriff's Office discriminates against Hispanic law enforcement
  • Group: Only 9 Hispanic employees in leadership positions
  • Sheriff's Office: Deputies need to take an exam to get promoted

Luis Zayas worked for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office for 28 years before leaving. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 50 percent of Osceola County is Hispanic. Zayas says the Sheriff’s Office should reflect that in leadership positions.

“There was a lot of discrimination throughout the years,” Zayas said. “And as you know, you got to work and if you bring it up you never know what’s going to happen, whether you’re going to get fired.  So you just cope with it and that’s what I did for the 28 years I was with the sheriff’s office.”

At a news conference Tuesday, community leaders unveiled their own study of demographic data, including dozens of interviews with current and retired Hispanic sheriff’s office deputies. They say of the only 9 of the approximately 108 employees in leadership positions are Hispanic.

A spokesperson with the sheriff’s office explained that in order to get a promotion, all deputies have to take a two-part exam that includes a written and oral part. Those with the highest scores are promoted.

In a statement, outgoing Sheriff Bob Hansell said:

"It's apparent there are individuals during this election season that are attempting to make this an issue to promote a political platform. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has an established hiring and promotional testing process resulting in the most qualified members being hired and promoted.  We continuously work towards increasing and enhancing workplace diversity to reflect our growing community."

However, the group believes their evidence shows a pattern of discrimination against Hispanic law enforcement.

The group says they are not endorsing any particular candidate for sheriff, but hopes any new sheriff will change the makeup of the department's leadership.

The group sent a letter to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, hoping they will look into the matter.