06-06-2009, 01:56 AM
Two records clerks at the Fort Myers Police Department have been fired after they reportedly misused a classified search database to look up the backgrounds for, among others, potential boyfriends for one.
Carol Bass and Helen Lehman were both fired last month following an investigation that began in March.
According to the professional compliance internal investigation, conducted by Lt. Michael Maurer, a records supervisor was notified by one of his employees that Bass was misusing D.A.V.I.D. — the Driver and Vehicle Information Database software — inappropriately.
A log of Bass’s use of the system was pulled, and it was found that she had a “large amount of inquiries,” some even made on her day off.
Other records clerks told Maurer Bass had joined a telephone dating service. When she would receive inquiries, she would access D.A.V.I.D. and pull the personal information and photographs of those who had responded to her tele-mates messages.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Lehman also had accessed the D.A.V.I.D. system. Lehman said she did so for Bass, who was going on a blind date.
“For her safety, she wanted Carol to see who she would be meeting,” Maurer wrote.
Lehman also ran the identity of the girlfriend of one of Bass’s dates because she was worried the girlfriend might show up during the date. Lehman further said she sometimes looked up co-workers to see their driver’s license pictures and also relatives.
When questioned later, Bass told Maurer, “I haven’t dated for 20 years, and all this stuff is new to me and I thought well, this might be a way to get information before I make a move.”
Both women were terminated May 21.
Bass had been employed since January 2006 and made $12.97 an hour, and Lehman since August 2000 and made $13.19 an hour.
Chief Doug Baker issued the following written statement regarding the terminations:
“Our purpose is to provide the most effective and efficient law enforcement services in Florida. The investigations are thorough, transparent and fair. As always we welcome the media to review completed investigations by our Professional Standards Bureau. However we will not be participating in interviews to avoid any further embarrassment to the employees involved.”
Carol Bass and Helen Lehman were both fired last month following an investigation that began in March.
According to the professional compliance internal investigation, conducted by Lt. Michael Maurer, a records supervisor was notified by one of his employees that Bass was misusing D.A.V.I.D. — the Driver and Vehicle Information Database software — inappropriately.
A log of Bass’s use of the system was pulled, and it was found that she had a “large amount of inquiries,” some even made on her day off.
Other records clerks told Maurer Bass had joined a telephone dating service. When she would receive inquiries, she would access D.A.V.I.D. and pull the personal information and photographs of those who had responded to her tele-mates messages.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Lehman also had accessed the D.A.V.I.D. system. Lehman said she did so for Bass, who was going on a blind date.
“For her safety, she wanted Carol to see who she would be meeting,” Maurer wrote.
Lehman also ran the identity of the girlfriend of one of Bass’s dates because she was worried the girlfriend might show up during the date. Lehman further said she sometimes looked up co-workers to see their driver’s license pictures and also relatives.
When questioned later, Bass told Maurer, “I haven’t dated for 20 years, and all this stuff is new to me and I thought well, this might be a way to get information before I make a move.”
Both women were terminated May 21.
Bass had been employed since January 2006 and made $12.97 an hour, and Lehman since August 2000 and made $13.19 an hour.
Chief Doug Baker issued the following written statement regarding the terminations:
“Our purpose is to provide the most effective and efficient law enforcement services in Florida. The investigations are thorough, transparent and fair. As always we welcome the media to review completed investigations by our Professional Standards Bureau. However we will not be participating in interviews to avoid any further embarrassment to the employees involved.”