'Anti- Fraternization' Policy Still In The Works

A policy designed to prevent non-platonic relationships between Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputies and employees is still in the works.

Sheriff Richard Nugent pledged to have the policy drafted Sept. 5 after an on-duty tryst was witnessed between a rookie deputy and a sergeant. That sergeant, Donnie Smith, resigned the same day an internal affairs investigation concluded he was derelict in his duty.

At the time, Nugent called that kind of behavior "unacceptable" and said it would not be tolerated. To that end, he called for a so-called "anti-fraternization" policy to be written that would ban romantic and sexual relationships between supervisors and subordinates. The policy applies to both sworn officers and employees.

On Tuesday, Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman, said the policy was still being researched and compared to similar policies at other agencies.

"It's a process," she said.