Four Florida deputies are currently suspended from their positions after allegedly neglecting their duties during Hurricane Irma.
According to an investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office:
- One deputy told supervisors he wasn't reporting for duty and was aware of consequences
- Another evacuated instead of reporting for duty at the jail
- Another showed up for an hour but then went home
- A fourth officer was involved, but specifics were not disclosed
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said they all had family at home and didn't make arrangements beforehand.
Three deputies will receive 40 hours without pay with part of punishment. Two were demoted from narcotics detectives to patrol duties. The fourth was given 16 hours without pay.
Gualtieri said the officers stepped out "when everyone else was stepping up."
The Tampa Bay Times report four Largo city employees lost their jobs for similar reasons in September.