Nice Going Rich

Another coverup at BPD. The chief didn't know anything about Hills porn on the computer. Edited by Mod 1 as Hill is the one who ran and told everyone after leaving the chiefs office after the meeting. Please Chief, don't cover for him anymore. Once again the Herald makes us look like the fools we are.

No it says who the Herald-Tribune really is.

OK maybe the guy did something he should not have done. But he retired two months ago after 20 years so who cares now whats on the thing.

Even the Sgt. that got fired was given an opportunity to resign but he refused.

This is nothing.

BRADENTON -- After two decades on the force, a Bradenton police lieutenant walked into the chief's office in July and abruptly quit.

The lieutenant, Richard B. Hill, said he wanted a career change and more family time.

Chief Michael Radzilowski says he accepted that explanation, and never questioned why a 44-year-old officer who shot up the ranks would suddenly walk away.

The chief said Wednesday that after the resignation he heard rumors that Hill had photographs of nude women on his city computer, an offense that has cost other employees their jobs.

Hill kept nude photos and graphic sexual movies on the work-issued laptop, according to a Herald-Tribune review this week that uncovered more than 100 illicit images and three pornographic films.

Many of the images are of paintings of nude women, some of them done by Hill. But others are photos of naked women in erotic poses, and he also had three graphic movies on the computer, including the infamous Paris Hilton sex tape.

Radzilowski says he has neither seen the photos nor does he intend to look into the matter further.

Although the rumors surfaced the day that Hill resigned, Radzilowski said he had no reason to investigate.

"Rich walked into my office, looked me in the eye and said he and his wife came to the decision together. I had no reason not to believe him."

This is the fourth recent incident in which improper images were found on a city employee's computer, and each case was handled differently.

The city's assistant public works director was fired in July over what he called "bachelor party-type" e-mails sent to him.

Weeks later, three firefighters were suspended after their e-mail accounts contained off-color jokes and nude imagery. One of the firefighters' e-mails was a video of two monkeys that contained racial overtones.

And last November, police Sgt. Tim Harvey was quickly fired when administrators uncovered questionable videos on his portable disk.

The handling of Hill's case followed a markedly different path than that of Harvey's.

Harvey was the target of internal affairs complaints related to his support of former Mayor Bill Evers, and he later won a retaliation lawsuit against the city.

Shortly after the suit was settled, supervisors fired Harvey after they determined that he put 21 adult-themed videos on the computer. Some women were topless in the videos, which Harvey said were mostly European TV commercials.

At the time, Radzilowski spoke openly about the Harvey case, calling the videos demeaning to women. He noted that the department had to take "stringent" action.

Harvey is trying to get his job back with the police department. He said his attorneys are aware of rumors about pornography on Hill's computer and could use that information in arguing if Hill received preferential treatment.

Radzilowski says he decided not to investigate the rumor because there really wasn't anything to investigate. "He is already gone," he said. "What's left for us to do?"

On Wednesday, more than two months after he quit, Hill said the nude photos of women, pulled from Web sites, were reference material that he planned to use for future paintings.

Hill, who joined the force in 1986 and was a well-regarded supervisor by the mid-1990s, has been painting for much of his life. He took classes at Ringling College of Art and Design and sells his work in local galleries.

In 2004, a critic for the Herald-Tribune described Hill as a "strong colorist" who uses "expressionistic devices such as compressed space and sharp, angular rhythms."

Hill, who made $73,000 as a lieutenant, says he left the police force because he wanted to pursue a career in the hand-painted sign business, which his father does in Lee County. He also says that no one at the department approached him about the pictures, and that he was not forced out.

"There's always a critic and always someone who wants to be critical," said Hill, who lives with his wife and children in Sarasota.

No it says who the Herald-Tribune really is.

OK maybe the guy did something he should not have done. But he retired two months ago after 20 years so who cares now whats on the thing.

Even the Sgt. that got fired was given an opportunity to resign but he refused.

This is nothing.

You response says it all "OK maybe the guy did something he should not have done". 100 times? What does the Paris Hilton video have to do with art or police work. Don't forget, this was his City of Bradenton computer. Why was he accessing web sites from city owned property? What kind of web sites would you be on to get such pictures. This was an administrator that was supposed to set an example. How can any of the internals he investigated still be valid when he himself was not even close to following guidelines? Was this done on his time or during City hours. If done on city hours why should he receive a pension as it would be clear he was not working? As for the chiefs comments, be real. Who in their right mind would not ask why. He knew about it and that will be proven also. Karma is great!!

Who in good faith can say after 20 years of working in a place that they do not have anything they should not have on their computer.

Maybe that item sent to you a few years ago. Maybe something you down loaded years ago. The issue is after twenty years and quitting or retiring do you really want the Herald-Tribune to go through your computer after being gone for two months. Who cares??

Who can throw stones after 20 years.

This is nothing more than the Herald-Tribune reporting on someone that no cares about any more.

It was only the Chief and Hill in the meeting--who cares if he said he was going to retire after 20 years.--who cares!!!

You don't accidently download Paris Hiltons sex video or over 100 images. You know as well as I do that is was no mistake to have that on his computer and he always thought he was above everyone else. Wouldn't you be smart enough that if you received an e mail with something inappropriate on it to take it to IT and have it cleaned off of there and write some kind of paperwork to cover your as$. Sounds like one of the chiefs yes boys writing for him. This department is so disgraced by people like him.

Anyone who believes what they read in the Herald-Tribune is a fool.

They are not a credible paper anymore. Its always negative against an LEO or the City. They have an agenda and is not for the Community.

I agree after 20 years who really knows what on your own computer.

What is the point to the story--Gee if the herald-tribune was a government agency we could see what is on their computer after 20 years which they should not have.

What hypocrates is the Herald-Tribune.

And I agree--he left two months ago--who cares about this--ONLY THE HERALD-TRIBUNE AND THEIR OWN AGENDA CARES

Maybe if he didn't screw so many people over, they still wouldn't be after him 2 months later.

Someone in his position just don't walk in one day and retire with 20 years of service and not be able to collect retirement for at least another year. Wake up people, there is a reason he is being covered. Who knows what it is, but people need to quit lying for him, it's going to end up biting someone in the @$$.

I don't think the chief has a choice if wrongdoing is discovered after an employee leaves. The way I read the police standards rules, an internal investigation is required, even if the employee (LEO) has resigned, retired, etc.