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11-16-2009, 11:33 PM #1
Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
Posted: Nov 16, 2009 12:10 PM EST
Updated: Nov 16, 2009 6:15 PM EST
Local News More>>Former Cape Councilman tries to clear namePolice: Burglary by boat something to watch forDeputies chat, read on taxpayer timeBill would require mandatory 9-1-1 dispatcher trainingDeputies set to vote on unionizationAAA fighting for Florida booster seat lawCommissioners to vote on Wulfert Flats no motor zonePolice school bartenders on impaired drivingDeputies nab North Fort Myers robbery suspectSan Carlos Boulevard re-opened after chlorine spillCOLLIER COUNTY: An NBC2 Investigation exposed Collier County sheriff’s deputies reading, chatting and congregating - all on your dime.
For three weeks, the NBC2 Investigators went undercover and found deputies hanging out at a gas station at Immokalee Road and Randall Boulevard for extended periods of time.
On our first night, our cameras were rolling at 2 a.m. as half a dozen deputies congregated at the gas station.
They chatted for about 20 minutes before deputies spotted us and took off.
The NBC2 Investigators returned a week later to find out if there was a pattern.
This time, Corporal Bobby Platt and Corporal Steven Thompson pull in at 2:22 am.
Both deputies are five-year veterans with the department, each earning more than $50,000 a year.
Our cameras captured Platt and Thompson sitting, chatting, reading the newspaper for an hour and a half.
At about 4:00 am, the deputies split up, with Corporal Thompson heading to a nearby McDonalds for an early morning meal.
The NBC2 Investigators lost track of him after that.
We took our findings to Hodges Criminal Justice Professor and former police officer Dr. Joe Kibitlewski.
Kara Kenney: “Do you think deputies patrolling the streets makes the streets safer?”
Dr. Kibitlewski: “Well I think common sense would say that.”
Kibitlewski says generally the public is better served when deputies are out and about.
“More patrols, more active visual contact with the people make the people feel safe, and it chases the bad guys away,” said Kibitlewski.
We showed our video to Collier County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Captain Mark Baker.
Kara Kenney: “What you see there, is that acceptable?”
Captain Baker: “If it's an extended period of time- that would be somewhat unreasonable to sit there and read the paper.”
Captain Baker pointed out the deputies are in a visible area and ready to make calls, but admits it looks bad.
“That's really not the image we like to have, them sit out and just read the paper like they don't have anything to do,” said Baker.
CCSO policy says meal breaks should be limited to 30 minutes.
Time cards obtained by NBC2 show both Corporal Platt and Thompson were clocked in and on duty while they chatted, read the paper, and went to McDonalds.
As for the half a dozen deputies congregating, Captain Baker says CCSO frowns upon large groups of deputies gathering in public.
“Yeah, you don't want multiple units all together. However, there may be an incident that happens where all gather after that incident to debrief to talk about what went right and wrong,” said Baker.
Baker says the agency is looking into exactly what the deputies were doing.
Kara: “Wouldn't their time be better served patrolling the roads rather than taking a break for an extended period of time?”
Captain Baker: They're patrolling for 12 hours- that's a long period of time, at some point they're going to need to take a break or go to the restroom or gas up.”
Deputies are encouraged to take breaks in visible, high-crime areas.
However, there is currently no written policy saying how many deputies can take breaks together or where.
CCSO has no plans to create a policy, but says it’s reminding deputies about the proper use of break time.
“We've put out reminders about the appearance, they may be legitimate, but sometimes it gives the appearance they're doing nothing,” said Baker.
As for Corporal Platt and Corporal Thompson reading the paper, CCSO is addressing the issue and Captain Baker says he will make sure deputies are spending their time - and taxpayers money- wisely.
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11-16-2009, 11:37 PM #2
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
If this is what deputies do to keep the crime rate at its lowest level then maybe more agencies should consider the same tactic!
CCSO you do a great job in protecting our community and providing us the best way of life in this crappy state. Thanks for all that you do and keep up the good work!!
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11-16-2009, 11:53 PM #3
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
The stores they were at certainly weren't complaining as they spent some money and deterred any robberies there, just by being there.
How about reporting on the chronic back problems from sitting in thoses cars 12 hours straight with all that gear on? Or the digestive problems from having to skip meals or wolf down food while driving on the busy days?
Very lame story, but a nice professional response from the Catain.
I suppose more deputies will now take lunch inside the substations, out of sight of the cameras and sadly, further away from that next call. Thanks for nothing nbc2....Hey I heard one of them may have gone to the bathroom on duty....is this why we pay taxes- to pay for bathroom breaks!!??? Oh, that story is next week, okay.
By the way, I am not one of them.
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11-16-2009, 11:57 PM #4
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Posts
- 26
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
This must the reason why we do not have the resources to actually run redlight details and issue REAL TRAFFIC CITATIONS! We place a few cameras for remote enforcement and then we can fudge our timecaeds & steal taxpayer monies! This is nothing more than DERELICTION OF DUTY! Terminate these THIEVES now before they infect the rest of the troops!
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11-17-2009, 12:01 AM #5
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
“We've put out reminders about the appearance, they may be legitimate, but sometimes it gives the appearance they're doing nothing,” said Baker. Well in this case Capt. that’s exactly what they were doing, nothing. Taking breaks are fine; mix it up though – different times and locations, it looks better even though you may be doing nothing. Spending that much time at one place is never, ever good. This lies squarely on the Sgt’s (or acting Sgt’s) shoulders, a supervisory failure… The Field Sup’s should also be looking out for such gatherings. Yeah, crime is low; keep it that way by patrolling. It’s called “Patrol” for a reason. Just be glad they did not go to some other districts and taken a look. Although I did not like the piece, they were actually pretty nice with their slam on the CCSO. But hey, when this has been a common practice for EVER, it was only a matter of time. Common sense guys, c’mon!
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11-17-2009, 02:20 AM #6
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
Originally Posted by warandpeace
For the rest of us working class peasants our employers give us a couple of 15 minute breaks throughout our 8 hour shift and a 30 minute unpaid lunch break. So yeah take an extra 15 minute break or two during your 12 hour shift, just don't take 6 of them back to back and we won't have a problem with it. Is that so hard to do?
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11-17-2009, 02:30 AM #7
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
Are you sure crime is that low? How many car burglaries have they had out in the Estates? Maybe they could have been looking for the car burglars.
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11-17-2009, 02:38 AM #8
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
Its about time the media picked up on this one. This has been an "accepted" practice for way too long.
I would say, however, that its not nearly as bad as it was a few years ago...so kudos to the CCSO.
I do think there are more important issues though: such as-
They need to seriously change their standards on hiring road deputies. Slacker in the jail is a slacker on the road....if you dont perform...go back. They need to revamp the FTO program to have trainers who A) want to train...and B) have more then 3 months on the road themselves.
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11-18-2009, 12:33 PM #9
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Collier County
- Posts
- 178
Re: Deputies chat, read on taxpayer time
(Removed by Mod 167)
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08-19-2017, 05:18 PM #10UnregisteredGuest
Ccso is on their stuff. They dont play around and they keep naples in its place. This place exploits "unacceptable" behavior to put a bad name on the place but in reality they do their jobs and do it well. The media is a lying sack of s#%& and to say that these policemen aren't working is a load of bull. Word up. Gang gang 💯💯💯💯💯💯
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