A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detention sergeant resigned Wednesday after racist and sexist comments came to light.
The Sheriff's Office says 53-year-old Richard Nascimento Jr. was talking with a supervisor about choosing deputies for the Training Division on Aug. 17. During the conversation, Nascimento mentioned how he didn’t "want any more black females" in his division to his supervisor. As he was speaking the only black female deputy assigned to the Training Division walked into the office.
The comment went unreported until Oct. 29, when an internal review was conducted. Nascimento was then removed from his position and placed on administrative leave.
While the case was set to be reviewed Thursday, Nascimento resigned on Wednesday, says the agency. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that Nascimento, who’s been with the office since 1999, would’ve been fired had he not resigned.
“It is the policy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office that all members shall enjoy a work environment free of all forms of discrimination based on, but not limited it, a member's race and gender,” said the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in a press release.
Nascimento's resignation is just the most recent incident involving a racist officers at Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Last June, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation into Deputy Jay Dugmore, who allegedly posted to Facebook "MOST die at the hands of cops because they deserved it.” Dugmore was also sued in federal court after allegations he struck a Black inmate and used racial slurs.
And, in 2017, corporal Shawn Pappas resigned in disgrace after racist and pornographic images were found on his phone, including a meme showing a white child next to a monkey that reads "Stop Racism, black children and white children are the same."
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
