PPPD officer quits to keep from being fired

PINELLAS PARK
In Wake of Brawl, Police Officer Out

Published: Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 11:40 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 11:40 p.m.

A Tampa Bay police officer has resigned after being arrested during a drunken brawl last month.

Sean Letona quit his job with the Pinellas Park Police Department on Feb. 10, soon after Chief Dorene Thomas said she was going to fire him for unbecoming behavior and for being armed while off the clock.

Letona was off duty when a fight broke out outside a bar Jan. 17. St. Petersburg police say they Tasered Letona when he wouldn't stop beating another man. Officers say he carried a concealed gun in an ankle holster. The 30-year-old was charged with misdemeanor battery.

This article was kind of misleading...
As far as the gun is concerned...It wasn't the fact that he was armed off duty. I think the issue was he was armed and drinking and the fact that I don't believe he had qualified with the gun he was carrying off duty as required by directive. Of course the main reason was the battery and failing to obey the orders of SPPD.