Detention Sergeant Resigns After Making Racist, Sexist Remark

Clearwater FL

20 November, 2020

1:27 PM

Description

CLEARWATER, FL — A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detention sergeant has resigned prior to being fired for making a racial and sexist comment. Sgt Richard Nascimento Jr., 53, was placed on administrative leave Oct. 29 and turned in his resignation effective Wednesday. Hired in 1999, the sergeant was assigned to the training division of the Department of Detention and Corrections. According to the sheriff's office, on Aug. 17 Nascimento was in his office speaking with another supervisor regarding the selection of deputies for the training division. During that discussion, Nascimento stated that he did not "want any more black females" in the training division and indicated that black female deputies would not be considered for transfer because of their race and gender. As Nascimento made the comment, the only black female deputy assigned to the training division happened to walk into the office and heard what Nascimento said. Although the deputy didn't report him, the sheriff's office administration learned about the remark on Oct. 29. Nascimento was immediately removed from his position and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The matter was scheduled to be heard before the sheriff's administrative review board Thursday, however, Nascimento resigned on Wednesday. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said, based on the evidence obtained during the internal investigation into Nascimento's remarks, he would have fired Nascimento had he not resigned before the hearing. In a news release, Gualtieri reiterated that 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 to, a member's race and gender."