It’s a department that’s been under scrutiny for months. Now, a sweeping new outside assessment confirms what many feared: the West Palm Beach Police Department is struggling under the weight of low morale, broken communication, and serious leadership gaps.The 89-page report, obtained by WPBF 25 Investigates, was commissioned by new Chief Tony Araujo just weeks after taking the job. It’s based on more than 40 in-depth interviews, three focus groups, and a 27-question survey completed by nearly half the agency.READ THE FULL REPORT HEREThe findings are blunt.“It’s like each shift is run differently,” one officer said. “We have eight separate police departments.”According to the report, 74% of employees say morale is low. Only 26% are satisfied with executive communication. And fewer than 1 in 4 feel they can report problems without fear of retaliation.Officers also described a culture of micromanagement and favoritism, with one comment reading:"Everyone is out for themselves and no one wants to see someone else succeed unless you have four letters on your chest or go golfing with the old regime."The department’s problems extend beyond internal politics.The report details failing equipment, from “roach-infested” patrol cars to a SWAT Bearcat truck that’s rusting and structurally unsound. Officers say some patrol vehicles have patched tires — a serious safety concern — and that the department’s radios often fail in high-risk areas like hospitals.Staffing shortages are critical. Detectives say they’re overwhelmed, and some units like Street Crimes are completely unstaffed. The Bomb Squad is operating only with borrowed equipment, and dispatchers are stretched so thin that supervisors’ roles are vacant."Officers report unprecedented low morale due to leadership failures and insufficient support. Chronic understaffing resulting in mandatory overtime has led to burnout and unsafe working conditions for Patrol personnel in particular. Leadership culture prioritizes work over officers’ well-being, contributing to a poor work-life balance," the report said.Still, there is cautious optimism. Officers report early signs of change under Chief Araujo and new Deputy Chief Tony Shearer. Some are still demoralized, however; one long-time officer saying privately:"Everyone at the department feel helpless, the climate within is really bad. Everyone is against each other. We are happy the finally the issues are being brought to light." The report calls for major reforms — from overhauling leadership training and equipment procurement to rebuilding trust through communication and accountability.Chief Araujo told Investigative Reporter Terri Parker he has been working 70-hour weeks to address the problems which he realized as soon as he stepped in as interim chief in October.In response to the report, Araujo said:"As Chief of Police, I want to thank our officers and professional staff for their honest participation in the recent organizational survey. The agency’s voices were heard, and their feedback is already guiding meaningful action. We are committed to getting back to the fundamentals of policing—building trust, ensuring safety, and delivering the highest level of service to our community.Together, we’re creating the best path forward.”The full report has been submitted to city leaders. Whether they’ll fund the sweeping changes needed to fix the department — remains to be seen.Top headlines:Names of victims in deadly Boca Raton crash released Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.