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2 disciplined for violating adultery ban

The Pinellas sheriff established the employee rule in 2005.

By JOSE CARDENAS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

For the first time since Sheriff Jim Coats instituted a rule in 2005 prohibiting adultery within his agency, he has disciplined two employees for violating it.

Deputy John Bradshaw received a three-day suspension, which he served Dec. 20-22, according to Sheriff's Office documents released Thursday.

Radio operator Heather Clouser received a written reprimand, the documents stated.

Bradshaw and Clouser each received a letter that read: "You engaged in an intimate relationship with a member of the agency whom you knew was married."

The documents say Bradshaw and Clouser violated the order between April and October 2007 while they were off duty in Pinellas County.

Clouser refused to comment Thursday. Bradshaw could not be reached.

Coats instituted the general order banning adultery in October 2005.

It was the first-of-its-kind policy among Tampa Bay law enforcement agencies and went beyond rules common among many employers - both private and public prohibiting romantic relationships between supervisors and subordinates.

Law enforcement agencies also typically ban relationships between two members of the same squad.

When he instituted the rule, Coats said it was important he be able to respond to complaints because affairs can have perilous effects in the workplace.

"I felt it was necessary to make it clear to the members of our agency that we have a moral image and obligation to the public," he said in a 2006 interview. "If we openly allow it, what kind of example does that set?"

The adultery rule prohibits two employees from "associating" when at least one of them is married.

The rule defines associating as "residing with, dating or entering into any intimate relationship with." It excludes employees who are separated and living apart from their spouses and those who have legally filed for divorce.

Violating the policy draws similar punishment as associating with criminals or accepting gratuities. It can range from a written reprimand up to a three-day suspension.

Bradshaw also violated another rule, the documents said, because he used an agency vehicle while off duty to stop at a residence "which was deemed not to be a short, personal errand to and from work or with supervisor permission." No further details were available Thursday.

Times staff writer Jacob H. Fries contributed to this report. Jose Cardenas can be reached at jcardenas@sptimes.com or 727 445-4224.

FAST FACTS:

The policy

Sheriff Jim Coats established a rule banning adultery in 2005:

Associating with married members - sheriff's personnel, whether married or single, shall not develop an association with another member whom they know or should have known is married to another person. Married members also shall not develop an association with agency members who are single. Excluded from this are members who are separated and residing apart from their spouse, or those who have legally filed for divorce. For the purpose of this policy, "association" means residing with, dating or entering into any intimate relationship with.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 22:32:26]