| VOLUSIA EXPOSED.COM |
|
|
Volusia County Terminates Employment of Police Officer Who Sent Racially Based Text Messages VolusiaExposed.Com Requested The Internal Affairs Investigative Documents. |
August 17, 2013 |
but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened."
Winston Churchill
Video can be stopped by clicking the pause button
|
Click Here Internal Affairs Investigative Packet Now Available Strike Two Policy Apparently Has Been Abandoned ! Volusia County Public Protection Director, George Recktenwald stated in the termination letter that , he (Recktenwald) "cannot allow your current actions to undermine the credibility that the Division of Beach Safety Ocean Rescue has worked so very hard to regain. The cartoons you texted to colleagues, the comments you wrote regarding other texts sent to you and the Facebook posting permanently impaired your ability to effectively perform your duties with the general public and cast doubt upon your ability to lead others or carry out your duties impartially as a law enforcement officer." |
|
No More Second Chances According to his attached termination letter, not only was Captain Snipes engaging in racially based text messaging with others in the local law enforcement community, but he was doing so while on duty. But sadly, such conduct is nothing new to the Beach Patrol, or as they are now known - Beach Safety Ocean Rescue. Just about ten years ago, the Beach Patrol was under a similar scandal whereas it was alleged that law enforcement supervisors were using racial slurs. VolusiaExposed invites our readers to review the below 2003 Orlando Sentinel article that details the events of that particular scandal. Orlando Sentinel Article In the 2003 incident, two supervisors who admitted to engaging in racial comments were NOT fired. However, the probationary employee that reported the conduct WAS fired. A county representative, Dave Byron, stated "they received appropriate discipline. County employees found to have exhibited racist or sexist behavior are "verbally counseled in the personnel office, - That's the first strike. The second strike, you're out." |
NOTICE OF TERMINATION |
The difference between an "investigation" and a "cover-up" is measured by it's transparency.
VolusiaExposed has been a major advocate for following of the Florida Officer's Bill of Rights.
Florida Officer's Bill of Rights
These "rights", when followed, ensure law enforcement and correctional officers a fair and equitable investigative process, when they find themselves under suspicion of misconduct.
Ironically, not only do these rights protect the suspect officer, but they also protect the public's right to know (transparency). An example of this is that all investigative sessions with the suspect officer will be recorded - these recordings, along with investigative records are open to public inspection at the end of the investigative process.
VolusiaExposed is also a strong advocate for the public's right to review records attached to these types of investigations.
Public Record Access
VolusiaExposed has discovered that when dealing with government agencies - a quick indicator of whether the agency is attempting to conduct an "investigation" or sell a "cover-up" - can be found in the details of how they interpret and apply these statutes, for that given situation.
Does the public have the right to know who else is involved?
So, does that mean that other law enforcement officers simply received the racially motivated texts, or does it mean that other local officers engaged in sending similar texts?
VolusiaExposed.Com has been advised that other law enforcement officers did receive and engage in sending racially motivated text messages. We were advised that one of the suspect officers that sent such texts was attached to the Bunnell Police Department.
VolusiaExposed.Com contacted Bunnell Police Chief Jeffery Hoffman via email (see our below email and Chief Hoffman's response).
Per Chief Hoffman's response, it is clear that he has been in contact with Volusia County about this matter.
Now that the Volusia County investigation has been completed - has Volusia County reached out to these other agencies, to advise them of similar concerns with their officers? How many other departments are affected?
Do you as a citizen think you have the right to know who engaged in sending these racially motivated texts, and also wears a police uniform?
We believe you have the right to know - with that thought in mind - we (VolusiaExposed.Com) sent Volusia County the below public record request in which we made a F.S. 119 demand for these records.
Let's see how transparent Volusia County intends to be....with that you can determine whether Volusia County conducted an investigation, or engaged in a cover up.
Stand By to Stand By.......more to come !!!
|
From: "Hoffman, Jeffrey" To: 'VolusiaExposed' Cc: "Robinson, Catherine" Subject: RE: Racially Charged Texts Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 20:14:03 +0000 (07/25/2013 04:14:03 PM) I certainly do not condone the behavior and it has no place in my organization. I have been in contact with the Volusia County Beach Patrol and if it is determined through their investigation that any of my officers were engaged in such unprofessional conduct, I will conduct an investigation and take the appropriate action. Regards, Jeff Hoffman Chief of Police Bunnell Police Department 200 South Church Street, Bunnell FL 32110 Office: 386-437-7508 Fax: 386-437-7510 Dispatch: 386-313-4911 Email: JHoffman@bunnellpd.us www.bunnellcity.us/police-department.aspx -----Original Message----- From: VolusiaExposed [mailto:volusiaexposed@cfl.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2013 3:55 PM To: Hoffman, Jeffrey Cc: unit5141@naacp.org; dbyron@volusia.org; Robinson, Catherine Subject: Racially Charged Texts Police Chief Jeff Hoffman City of Bunnell, Florida Chief Hoffman: Chief - We (VolusiaExposed.Com) are preparing an article attached to the racially charged text messages allegedly sent (and received) by law enforcement members of the Volusia County Beach Patrol. These text messages (and FaceBook posts) provided comments connected to the Trayvon Martin / George Zimmerman incident. http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/volusia-county/beach-patrol-officer-accused-of-making-insensitive-comments-about-trayvon-martin/-/12983450/21059024/-/sy0skiz/-/index.html Are you aware of apparent evidence / allegations that a law enforcement member of the Bunnell PD was involved in sending some of these racially charged texts? Has your department opened their own investigation into these allegations? If not, do you anticipate opening an investigation, as would be apparently required under F.S. 943.1395? At this time, Volusia County government is in receipt of evidence that might shed light on this issue for the BPD. Thank You in advance for any comments or assurances your office can provide. VX VolusiaExposed.Com volusiaexposed@cfl.rr.com |
From: VolusiaExposed To: dbyron@volusia.org Cc: bwendland@volusia.org, prenfro@volusia.org Bcc: REDACTED Subject: Public Record Request - Snipes Investigation Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:36:43 -0400 Dave Byron Public Information Officer Volusia County Government Ref: Termination of employment – Captain Snipes Dear Dave: Now that Volusia County has released memorandum DPP13-086 (see attached copy) - “Notice of Dismissal” regarding Captain Michael T. Snipes, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) make this public record request for the following documents / files. We request that these documents / files be in electronic format, if so available. 1. The entire investigative file connected to Internal Affairs investigation IA-2013-06-316 – see page 2 of DPP13-086. (Including – but not limited to – the text messages, testimony and the final IA determination letter) 2. A copy of HR Bulletin 19 – signed by Captain Snipes on 01/12/13 – see page 2 of DPP13-086 3. All video / audio recordings of meetings between Captain Snipes and any of the following persons being in attendance. A. Director Recktenwald B. the internal affairs investigator. Dave, as in past officer terminations / disciplinary actions, VolusiaExposed wishes to make these records available to the public prior to any possible appeal hearing, so that the public can appreciate that their county government “enforces the law fairly, even-handedly, and without bias”. Therefore, we again request your assistance in getting access to these records in a post-haste fashion, so that the citizens of Volusia County can rest assured that this investigation, and the release of records were processed in a professional, consistent and transparent manner. Please advise us of any costs associated with this public record request. Please use the below email address as our point of contact. Regards; VX VolusiaExposed.Com volusiaexposed@cfl.rr.com cc – Bernice Wendland Pam Renfro bcc - several |
|
If you found this article to be thought provoking, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) invite you to review, the below linked, Special Investigative Report, exposing law enforcement corruption with the State of Florida. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRUPTION by Matthew Doig and Anthony Cormier Volusia County Sheriff's Department Drop us a line to let us know what you think.  EMAIL US DOES SHERIFF JOHNSON HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM? Play the above video - and then decide for yourself. Sheriff Johnson claiming that he does not drink. (October 2012) |
and VCSO Press Releases The VCSO issued a press release on the Stewart-Marchman molestation incident - but did not issue a press release of a jail rape - why not? No VCSO Press Release on Jail Rape? Rape at the Volusia Jail INFLUENCE THE JAIL'S RAPE INVESTIGATION? Nancye Jones' husband, VCSO Major Robert Jones, supervises the deputies that investigate possible criminal violations within the county jail. We have concerns that several criminal investigations have been possibly manipulated, in order to reduce the County of Volusia's civil liability. Our concern includes this particular in-custody sexual battery investigation, and the below listed situations. We invite you to review our concerns. Falsification of Documents by County Officials  |