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Officer Resigns Amid Investigation

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Sgt. Robert Perrault Jr., who was placed on paid leave two weeks ago after a complaint was filed against him, has resigned from the police department.

In a letter sent Friday to City Manager Steve Spina, Perrault wrote that his last day on the force will be Aug. 22 and that his decision to leave had nothing to do with the investigation.

"This resignation has no association with any current investigations against me and was set into motion some time prior to any investigations against me," the letter says.

The details of the complaint against him have not been released.

In his letter, Perrault says he has accepted a "separate position within the community" but offers to remain with the police department part time to complete several internal affairs investigations. He also offers to volunteer as a reserve police officer.

Perrault had been the department spokesman and internal affairs investigator.

He has been offered a job at Zephyrhills High School teaching criminal justice, according to the Pasco County School District. He previously worked there as a school resource officer.

The school board must approve Perrault's hiring.
Perrault also has asked for verification of back pay he claims the city owes him, estimated at more than $17,500. That includes 550 hours of accrued sick time, 210 hours of vacation time and 16 comp time hours.

Spina said no decisions will be made - either on Perrault's back pay or his offer to finish outstanding internal affairs investigations - until the city completes its investigation.

"We'll have to see how things turn out," Spina said. "Obviously, there's no way to impose any kind of disciplinary action, being that he is no longer with the police department."

Spina put Perrault and police Chief Russell Barnes on paid leave July 29, saying the move was necessary so the investigation would not be compromised.
City officials have not revealed the details of the complaint against Barnes and Perrault. They are expected to release the findings of their investigation by the end of the week.

Capt. David Shears, who was named interim chief, is conducting the investigation.
Perrault joined the department in 1999. He was transferred from patrol to detective duty in 2006 and was voted the department's officer of the year in 2005. Before he resigned, he was earning $22.63 an hour with benefits.

He has never been reprimanded by the department. On his most recent performance evaluation, his supervisor, Capt. Rob McKinney, credited Perrault for "excellent overall performance" and his "willingness to take on tasks when no one else is willing."

In his resignation letter, Perrault says his decision to leave was heartfelt.

"I am not leaving with bitterness in my heart," he says in the one-page letter, "only a love for the city that I have been raised in and had the opportunity to serve."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 948-4216 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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