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Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
April 28, 2009
Restructuring in Bunnell
Misconduct claims lead to multiple changes in police, city policy
Author: HEATHER SCOFIELD - STAFF WRITER
BUNNELL - On the heels of several recent internal investigations and terminations, the
Bunnell Police Department is being restructured and city policies are being refined across the
board, said City Manager and Public Safety Director Armando Martinez.
Four Bunnell city employees, including one police officer, were fired and another city employee
resigned after various allegations of misconduct during the past three months. That put an effort
to clarify the city's rules and regulations for employees into high gear, Martinez said.
Among the adjustments:
*A policy specifically explaining that employees are responsible for knowing the rules and
regulations of the city.
*A new safety manual for city employees.
*Outlining some activities deemed not acceptable, such as reading newspapers or other leisure
activities during work hours in public view - even when on break.
"There are private break areas provided for employees to do such things," Martinez said. It will
prevent the public perception that city employees aren't doing their jobs and will better allow
management to know when such a thing is happening, he said.
*A new policy relating to computer usage, which is not fully addressed in the city's current rules
and procedures.
Martinez said he'll soon be asking commissioners to approve making city policies clearer and
more specific. He said he wants employees to better understand their roles and what's expected
of them, both on and off the job.
"City employees are representatives of the city, even when they're not on the clock,"
Martinez said.
And though it was hard to see one of his former police officers terminated and another demoted
earlier this month, it did give Martinez and police Chief Arthur Jones a chance to change the
structure of the department, Martinez said. The 16-member department has 13 police officers
and a vacant officer position, which will be filled.
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