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Hernando Today

'No Time Limit' On Sheriff's Anti-Fraternization Policy

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: February 18, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - There's still no word on when a policy will be completed that bans non-platonic relationships between Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputies and employees.

Sheriff Richard Nugent pledged to have the policy drafted six months ago after an on-duty tryst between a rookie deputy and a sergeant was discovered. The sergeant, Donnie Smith, resigned the same day in-house investigators concluded he was derelict in his duty.

In September, Nugent called the affair "unacceptable" and ordered an "anti-fraternization" policy be drafted to prevent future liaisons. The policy would ban romantic and sexual relationships between supervisors and subordinates; it would apply to both sworn officers and employees.

In December, Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman, said the policy was still in the research stage. On Tuesday, she said by e-mail that "there is no time limit when researching and developing policy."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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