12-12-2007, 12:21 PM
Deputy Kevin Mazzoni had been with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office since 1995
A Charlotte County Sheriff's deputy was fired earlier this month after an internal investigation concluded he violated official procedures and twice neglected his duties.
Deputy First Class Kevin Mazzoni joined the CCSO in April 1995 and has amassed "an extensive disciplinary record," according to a letter by Major Mark Caro included with the internal investigation. After a pre-termination hearing between Mazzoni, Sheriff John Davenport and Chief Deputy Bill Cameron, Davenport decided to uphold the agency's decision. Mazzoni's last day of work was Dec. 3.
The investigation began in November in response to three incidents. On Nov. 2, fellow deputies noticed Mazzoni had left his trunk open -- with his patrol rifle inside -- while he was inside a business taking a complaint. Mazzoni told investigators he left his trunk open so he could get to some necessary forms, the report said.
On Nov. 3, deputies on patrol found his patrol vehicle parked at his condominium complex unlocked, with a CCSO laptop unsecured inside and his patrol rifle in the trunk, the report said. The patrol rifle had a full magazine in it and a live round in the chamber. Later that day, a CCSO sergeant with a radar gun saw Mazzoni driving to a non-emergency call in a marked patrol car. According to the report, he was going 81 mph in a 35 mph residential zone.
Following his last internal investigation, in which an allegation of improperly processing property and evidence was sustained, Mazzoni was suspended for 24 hours without pay, placed on six months probation and ordered to do remedial training. That case was closed in January.
"His discipline has had little if any effect upon his performance," Major Caro's letter stated. "I do not believe that he can be trusted to perform his duties as a law enforcement deputy sheriff in a responsible manner."
You can e-mail Carolyn Quinn at cquinn@sun-herald.com.
By CAROLYN QUINN
Staff Writer
A Charlotte County Sheriff's deputy was fired earlier this month after an internal investigation concluded he violated official procedures and twice neglected his duties.
Deputy First Class Kevin Mazzoni joined the CCSO in April 1995 and has amassed "an extensive disciplinary record," according to a letter by Major Mark Caro included with the internal investigation. After a pre-termination hearing between Mazzoni, Sheriff John Davenport and Chief Deputy Bill Cameron, Davenport decided to uphold the agency's decision. Mazzoni's last day of work was Dec. 3.
The investigation began in November in response to three incidents. On Nov. 2, fellow deputies noticed Mazzoni had left his trunk open -- with his patrol rifle inside -- while he was inside a business taking a complaint. Mazzoni told investigators he left his trunk open so he could get to some necessary forms, the report said.
On Nov. 3, deputies on patrol found his patrol vehicle parked at his condominium complex unlocked, with a CCSO laptop unsecured inside and his patrol rifle in the trunk, the report said. The patrol rifle had a full magazine in it and a live round in the chamber. Later that day, a CCSO sergeant with a radar gun saw Mazzoni driving to a non-emergency call in a marked patrol car. According to the report, he was going 81 mph in a 35 mph residential zone.
Following his last internal investigation, in which an allegation of improperly processing property and evidence was sustained, Mazzoni was suspended for 24 hours without pay, placed on six months probation and ordered to do remedial training. That case was closed in January.
"His discipline has had little if any effect upon his performance," Major Caro's letter stated. "I do not believe that he can be trusted to perform his duties as a law enforcement deputy sheriff in a responsible manner."
You can e-mail Carolyn Quinn at cquinn@sun-herald.com.
By CAROLYN QUINN
Staff Writer