TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

City manager upholds firing of officer

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY MARRERO, Hernando Today

Published: November 22, 2007

Updated: 11/21/2007 09:22 pm

The police chief was right to fire a Brooksville police officer who made derogatory remarks about a female dispatcher and then lied about it, the city manager has decided.

City manager Jennene Norman-Vacha has sustained a decision by then-interim Police Chief Frank Ross to fire Officer Terry Elliot.

Terminating Elliot for the offenses is "consistent with appropriate action outlined and provided within" the city's employee personnel policy manual, Norman-Vacha wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to Elliot's attorney, Kenneth Afienko of St. Petersburg.

Elliot exhibited "conduct unbecoming" an employee of the city, "insubordination," and "an antagonistic attitude toward supervisors and fellow employees," Norman-Vacha wrote, citing passages in the personnel manual.

According to the letter, Elliot made derogatory remarks about the dispatcher on April 24. The dispatcher complained, sparking an internal investigation in which Elliot at first denied that the remarks were meant for her. Instead, he said, they were directed at "detainees" he was transporting, the letter states.

During a pre-disciplinary hearing in May, investigators determined that audio from the patrol car proved Elliot was in fact referring to the dispatcher, according to the letter.

Elliot then admitted guilt and apologized, the letter states. Ross fired him May 29; Elliot appealed to the city manager.

Norman-Vacha declined comment Wednesday.

"We are disappointed in the city manager's decision and we are exploring all our legal alternatives at the moment," Afienko said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT