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Probe Of Tarpon Springs Resource Officer Continues

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By MARK  DOUGLAS | News Channel 8

Published: December 1, 2008

Tarpon Springs Police Department Lt. Barbara Templeton says it may take another month for detectives to finish their investigation of an officer suspended in November over allegations he had inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old high school student.

Cpl. Mike Kazouris had a spotless five-year record with the department as a school resource officer and for seven years before that earned praise as a campus security officer with the Pinellas County School District.

In 2007, Kazouris led a team of Tarpon Springs school resource officers who earned top statewide honors from their peers.

The department put Kazouris on paid administrative leave Nov. 12 when someone complained he had unspecified sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl who attends Tarpon Springs High School.

Templeton said detectives have issued subpoenas for cell phone bills, e-mail and texting records. She said it could take three weeks to receive that information and an additional week for detectives to process it and make a determination in the criminal investigation.

Templeton said that once the criminal investigation is complete there will be an internal investigation to determine whether Kazouris violated any department policies.

After his paid suspension became public, a group of students gathered outside Tarpon Springs High School in a show of support for Kazouris, known as "Officer Mike."

At the time of his suspension, Kazouris was on temporary duty at the high school. He normally works with a canine partner at three elementary schools: Sunset Hills, Tarpon Springs Fundamental and Tarpon Springs Elementary.

Reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 709-2753 or mdouglas@wfla.com.

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