Post by KC on Dec 3, 2006 18:59:40 GMT -5
NORTH PORT -- A North Port police officer was suspended for one day without pay and another was given a written reprimand stemming from their off-duty relationship.
Sgt. Patrick Sachkar was suspended without pay for conduct unbecoming an officer based on his relationship with patrol officer Melanie Turner.
Investigation records indicate Sachkar and Turner, who joined the North Port police force after she returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, became close after working out at a gym together.
More than year ago, Turner joined the squad Sachkar supervises. Both denied any unprofessional activity took place between them during business hours.
The investigation was initiated after Turner's former roommate, Ashley Martinson, told police Turner was threatening to harm herself, that she had abused alcohol and prescription drugs, and that she had been involved in a relationship with Sachkar.
Martinson also stated that Turner had put her in handcuffs, escorted her into the back of her squad car, and threatened to "Baker Act" her.
Turner admitted to handcuffing Martinson as a joke, but denied the threat.
Turner further denied ever threatening to harm herself. She said she had a difficult year because of the death of a parent, divorce and custody proceedings, and suffers from migraine headaches.
Turner told police during their investigation that Martinson exaggerated some events, or was not telling the truth. She admitted to having a relationship with Sachkar, although both she and Sachkar denied it was physically intimate while she was in his squad.
Following an internal investigation, Lt. Ed Fitzpatrick found there was not enough evidence to show Turner intended to harm herself, nor evidence that Turner and Sachkar acted inappropriately while on duty.
Fitzpatrick found that Turner had been in public after consuming alcohol, but there was no evidence to show it amounted to DUI. There was also no evidence indicating abuse of prescription medications.
Chief Terry Lewis followed the recommendation of Capt. Kevin Vespia that Sachkar be given one day off without pay because "he is a supervisor in (the) organization and should be setting a better example to subordinates."
Turner was given a written reprimand and must receive a psychological evaluation and complete a substance abuse program.
Both still work for the department.
Sgt. Patrick Sachkar was suspended without pay for conduct unbecoming an officer based on his relationship with patrol officer Melanie Turner.
Investigation records indicate Sachkar and Turner, who joined the North Port police force after she returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, became close after working out at a gym together.
More than year ago, Turner joined the squad Sachkar supervises. Both denied any unprofessional activity took place between them during business hours.
The investigation was initiated after Turner's former roommate, Ashley Martinson, told police Turner was threatening to harm herself, that she had abused alcohol and prescription drugs, and that she had been involved in a relationship with Sachkar.
Martinson also stated that Turner had put her in handcuffs, escorted her into the back of her squad car, and threatened to "Baker Act" her.
Turner admitted to handcuffing Martinson as a joke, but denied the threat.
Turner further denied ever threatening to harm herself. She said she had a difficult year because of the death of a parent, divorce and custody proceedings, and suffers from migraine headaches.
Turner told police during their investigation that Martinson exaggerated some events, or was not telling the truth. She admitted to having a relationship with Sachkar, although both she and Sachkar denied it was physically intimate while she was in his squad.
Following an internal investigation, Lt. Ed Fitzpatrick found there was not enough evidence to show Turner intended to harm herself, nor evidence that Turner and Sachkar acted inappropriately while on duty.
Fitzpatrick found that Turner had been in public after consuming alcohol, but there was no evidence to show it amounted to DUI. There was also no evidence indicating abuse of prescription medications.
Chief Terry Lewis followed the recommendation of Capt. Kevin Vespia that Sachkar be given one day off without pay because "he is a supervisor in (the) organization and should be setting a better example to subordinates."
Turner was given a written reprimand and must receive a psychological evaluation and complete a substance abuse program.
Both still work for the department.