By Katie Powalski
The Orlando Sentinel
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Inappropriate use of Internet privileges while on duty proved to be a career-ender for two Haines City police officers.
Each resigned last week.
Fourteen-year force veteran Sgt. Howard Porter, 39, resigned Aug. 6 after allegations that he had downloaded and shown other officers pornography on a department computer.
In an unrelated but similar incident, Officer Richard Berndt, 28, resigned Aug. 9 after officials said he violated computer policy by rerouting the department’s Internet IP address and visiting pornographic sites through public and private wireless access, officials said. He had been with the department since 2005.
Berndt has not commented publicly on the circumstances of his resignation.
Porter’s exit came one day before his appeal hearing was set to argue police Chief Morris West’s recommendation that Porter be fired. Porter had been on paid suspension while he was under investigation.
Porter submitted a 28-page letter to West, including letters of recommendation from officers, in which he denies any wrongdoing. In it, he said his resignation is not an admission of guilt but an opportunity to pursue new career paths.
A photo of Porter in uniform posted on the popular social Web site MySpace also violated the department’s Internet posting policy, though the photo was not sexual in nature, West said.
Other actions in question included complaints that Porter had participated in demeaning dialogue and created an uncomfortable work environment while serving as a supervisor.
West said several incidents led to his recommendation that Porter be fired.
In Berndt’s disciplinary action report, West said a limited check of Berndt’s computer yielded sites that were “pornographic in nature and sexually suggestive to seek out sex partners.”
Not only was the material inappropriate, but by using unsecured Internet access, Berndt exposed the department’s computer system to viruses, West said.
Berndt had been on suspension without pay since late July.
Copyright 2007 The Orlando Sentinel