TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After his July 28 email to Florida Highway Patrol troopers in an eight-county region was published, FHP Maj. Mark Welch sent a request to Col. Gene Spaulding Wednesday. He wants to retire.
Welch, who ordered the troopers to issue two citations each hour, wants to retire from FHP on Sept. 5. Spaulding released a statement saying he was accepting his request.
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"Major Welch has served Florida for more than 35 years, and I appreciate his dedication to the state of Florida and FHP’s mission of saving lives," Spaulding said.
In the email, Welch said the order was not a quota and was meant to support an overtime program to provide more coverage in high-traffic areas. Spaulding put Welch's job status under review after disavowing the email.
A quota would be in violation of Florida law. The union representing troopers wants disciplinary action against Welch.