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Cop's plan for MySpace account takes an X-rated turn
Sgt. Ty Evenson said he wanted to use the account to improve "relations between law enforcement and the public." But an investigation showed that his browsing criteria on MySpace were set to "swinger" and "women," and that he initiated contact with hundreds of women across the country who identified themselves as strippers, prostitutes and porn stars. (Missourlian.com)
March 19, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
In his letter of termination the boss essentially called him a sexual predator. What?!?! It was ADULT women he was searching for. Sure he shouldn't have been doing it on work time but to call him a predator is outlandish.
Posted by: vksjk | Mar 19, 2007 9:59:46 AM
"""Your documented pattern of activity more closely resembles that of a sexual predator than of a deputy sheriff dedicated to ‘improved relations between law enforcement and the public"""
What is so simple to understand about that Vksjk?
If you compare what he was doing to what his job required him to do, which one is closer to what he was doing? Delaying calls by almost 10mins because he was surfing Myspace profiles for porn stars, swingers and hookers. Seems like someone was seeking out something sexual does it not?
This is one officer that deserved what he got. What he does on his own time in his own home with his own myspace profile is his own business. What he does on paid tax dollar time is a whole different story.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 10:19:45 AM
He was improving relations between law enforcement and the public, all right. Just not the kind his bosses thought. :-)
Posted by: Phranqlin | Mar 19, 2007 10:37:29 AM
glad to see there's one real man on the cops instead of those girly boys we see on tv
Posted by: bruno | Mar 19, 2007 10:47:53 AM
"""Your documented pattern of activity more closely resembles that of a sexual predator than of a deputy sheriff dedicated to ‘improved relations between law enforcement and the public"""
"What is so simple to understand about that Vksjk?
If you compare what he was doing to what his job required him to do, which one is closer to what he was doing? Delaying calls by almost 10mins because he was surfing Myspace profiles for porn stars, swingers and hookers. Seems like someone was seeking out something sexual does it not?
This is one officer that deserved what he got. What he does on his own time in his own home with his own myspace profile is his own business. What he does on paid tax dollar time is a whole different story."
I agree, it is pretty simple to understand.
I prefer to generally only use the words "Sexual Predator" to identify an adult who has actually physically victimized someone.
Labeling this guy a sexual predator is silly. Yes, he should've been canned but to label him a sexual predator is way off base and actually diminishes the effectiveness of the term.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 10:52:03 AM
"improve relations between law enforcement and the public"
One stripper at a time...
Posted by: WellThen | Mar 19, 2007 10:55:56 AM
the guy's in hot water for using a county-owned computer for this activity. i imagine if he had confined it to his home pc there wouldn't be a problem.
i never understand why people are so surprised when they end up in trouble for using a business PC for personal use. uh-oh... the boss is coming. better close.
Posted by: d_m_arnold | Mar 19, 2007 11:06:52 AM
Well when you "actually physically victimize someone" that is noramlly called RAPE or ASSULT. A sexual predator preys on his victims. It searches them out, tracks them down and then it pounces.
While the term is harsh. It was a well used term to describe his actions while serving the public, which he was not doing.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 11:07:44 AM
"Well when you "actually physically victimize someone" that is noramlly called RAPE or ASSULT. A sexual predator preys on his victims. It searches them out, tracks them down and then it pounces.
While the term is harsh. It was a well used term to describe his actions while serving the public, which he was not doing."
Now you're just reaching and grasping at straws. The usage of "Sexual Predator" was wholly inappropriate and ridiculous.
Posted by: vksjk | Mar 19, 2007 11:11:39 AM
So what should he have been called vksjk? A guy seeking a good time on tax payer dollars? Comem on smart guy. Tell me what the appropriate and non-ridiculous term should have been? You act like this was your uncle.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 11:16:45 AM
He'll get a pass because 'being a cop is a hard job' or some such nonsense.
Posted by: Sean, Torrington CT | Mar 19, 2007 11:22:33 AM
"Comem on smart guy."
LOL!
You should realize that when you resort to personal attacks it diminishes your argument and make you appear desperate.
You know as well as I that the term "sexual Predator" has been used for quite some time now to label serious sexual felons. A guy looking for adult women to engage in consensual acts is as far away as possible from being a sexual predator.
Simply call him an idiotic employee who deserves to be fired. Labeling him a sexual predator is ludicrous.
Posted by: vksjk | Mar 19, 2007 11:23:47 AM
"Labeling this guy a sexual predator is silly."
The sheriff did not label the deputy a sexual predator. He said his activity "more closely resembles that of a sexual predator" in that "The messages were frequently sexually suggestive and “occasionally in very sexually explicit language,” according to McMeekin's letter." as opposed to a peace officer trying to improve relations with the public.
Call me pedantic if you like.
"It was ADULT women he was searching for."
So what do you call a guy who stalks and rapes ADULT women?
"This is one officer that deserved what he got. What he does on his own time in his own home with his own myspace profile is his own business."
He didn't get fired for creating and abusing a myspace account at work. He got fired for lying. Had he told the truth, he would have been disciplined. But when a cop lies to his superiors it usually results in termination. There was a cop in Walnut Creek, CA who was doing some woman out of the city limits. A neighbour called and asked why a WCPD car was parked across the street from her house everyday. When they confronted the officer, he lied. His girlfriend told the truth. He was fired for lying.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 11:25:39 AM
I don't think there has to be a physical attack for someone to be a sexual predator. There doesn't even have to be physical contact.
However, there obviously has to be some kind of harassment at the very least going on, and that doesn't appear to be what happened here. Firing him might be wholly appropriate based on his misuse of time and misrepresentation of his office as a place to pick up women, regardless of their jobs; but that doesn't make him a sexual predator.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 11:32:12 AM
""""You know as well as I that the term "sexual Predator" has been used for quite some time now to label serious sexual felons""""
Maybe for you or the rest of society it has become to be known for only a select few but it has not for me. AGAIN!!! He was never called a sexual predator directly. His action where just compared to being that of a sexual predator and I agree 100% that he was acting like one.
So lets keep the term "sexual predator" reserved for the few that get caught and convicted. "cough, cough, idiot"
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 11:42:54 AM
"Call me pedantic if you like.
"It was ADULT women he was searching for."
So what do you call a guy who stalks and rapes ADULT women?"
I DON'T KNOW WHO TOLD YOU THAT HE WAS STALKING AND RAPING WOMEN, BUT I DIDN'T READ ANYTHING THAT REMOTELY RESEMBLES THAT. PLEASE SHOW ME!!!
Posted by: chassiddy | Mar 19, 2007 11:49:01 AM
And you thought the ARM of the law was long! :)
Posted by: Joel | Mar 19, 2007 12:05:51 PM
two posts up was mine. Dammit.
And I agree with chassidy. Chatting up women does not make anyone a rapist or even a potential rapist.
Posted by: WZ | Mar 19, 2007 12:06:54 PM
dangit again. actually my post is the one that starts "I don't think there has to be a physical attack for someone to be a sexual predator."
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 12:07:56 PM
It seems that some people are conflating the term "sexual predator" with "sex offender." A sex offender is someone that has committed a sex-related crime of some kind. A sexual predator is someone that is hunting for sex - because hunting is what predators do.
This policeman was seemingly hunting for potential sex partners - that's predator behavior.
Posted by: Sex Preducation | Mar 19, 2007 12:34:19 PM
"I DON'T KNOW WHO TOLD YOU THAT HE WAS STALKING AND RAPING WOMEN, BUT I DIDN'T READ ANYTHING THAT REMOTELY RESEMBLES THAT. PLEASE SHOW ME!!!"
Nobody said he was stalking and raping women. Scroll up to the first post from vksjk. He implies that the guy shouldn't be labeled a sexual predator because "it was ADULT women he was searching for." I was just asking what he called someone who stalks and rapes ADULT women, because around here we call them sexual predators.
Which the deputy was never labeled a sexual predator.
WZ, are you going to post a comment to let us know that you posted the one that starts with "dangit again"? :-)
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 12:36:25 PM
Your reasoning makes sense Sex Preducation, but at least in Florida there are legal definitions:
http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/FAQ.jsp#WhatIsTheDifference
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 12:42:06 PM
Regardless of what Flordia law states one still can compare someone to a sexual predator or acting like one and this is what the letter did. It compared his actions as to that of a sexual predator.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 12:56:22 PM
Do I need to?
Let's just say I'm having one of those days.
Posted by: WZ | Mar 19, 2007 1:13:51 PM
I agree with you fellow anon, I was just pointing out there are legal definitions to the term.
Posted by: | Mar 19, 2007 1:16:54 PM
