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Zephyrhills Chief, Officer On Paid Leave

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By GEOFF FOX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Police Chief Russell Barnes and an administrative sergeant were placed on paid leave Tuesday night.

City Manager Steve Spina said he made the decision Tuesday afternoon after receiving a resident's complaints involving Barnes and Sgt. Rob Perrault. He declined to discuss the nature of the allegations, but said he had spoken with the resident before.

"This didn't just come in off the street," Spina said. "I had done some preliminary work and double-checked some information given to us."

Spina said he placed Barnes and Perrault, an agency spokesman and internal affairs investigator, on leave so the department's investigation would not be compromised.

"We take these allegations and the investigation seriously," he said, adding he had never led a similar probe.

In a statement, Spina said the investigation likely would take two weeks or less. He said he plans to speak with Barnes about the issue again today.

"It's way too early to comment," said Barnes, who makes $74,090 annually and has been with the department since November 2003. "I was notified about 6:30 Tuesday night, and I haven't had a chance to talk to the city manager about the details yet.

"I'm comfortable with what I think the outcome will be."

While Barnes is on leave, Capt. David Shears will head the department, which has about 40 sworn officers.

Perrault has been with the department since 1999.

"I'm on leave. By rule, I can't comment," he said.
Personnel records indicate that neither Barnes nor Perrault have received major admonishments during their time with the department.

Last year, Barnes received a written reprimand for a procedural violation in purchasing three Ford Crown Victorias for the department. He also admitted to asking the city council to approve the purchase of 34 Tasers when the stun guns were already in police headquarters.

Barnes apologized to the city council, but suffered no punishment.

Barnes also agreed to put a letter of admonishment in his personnel file a few years ago for playing "Asteroids" and other video games on his office computer.

Spina said Barnes' most recent performance evaluation was satisfactory.

Perrault, who was transferred from patrol to detective duty in 2006, was voted the department's officer of the year in 2005. He makes $22.63 an hour.

On his most recent performance evaluation in December, his supervisor, Capt. Rob McKinney, credited Perrault for "excellent overall performance" and his "willingness to take on tasks when no one else is willing."

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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