7 Deputy Recruits Canned for Cheating, Sheriff Says

LARGO, FL — Seven Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy recruits and one patrol deputy are out of work after an investigation found the recruits cheated on their training exams.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputy recruits Darold Cook, Julia Hopkins, Joshua Mason, Thomas McDonnell, Bruce Ramos, Diana Shoemaker and Michael Walker were all terminated by the agency. The seven had been hired as recruits on Nov. 9, 2015. Deputy Eric Biddle, a field training officer, also resigned.

An investigation into allegations of cheating began on Jan. 21 when supervisors learned some of the recruits may have had an unfair advantage on their exams. The investigation revealed that the seven recruits got their hands on the written exams and oral boards in advance.

“These copies were the actual exams upon which they were tested,” an email from the sheriff’s office stated. “Several of the recruits scored 100% on their Phase I exams and planned to use the material to cheat on their Phase II exams. Some deputy recruits lied when initially questioned about the issue.”

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said cheating is something his agency won’t stand for.

“We have nothing in the law enforcement profession without our integrity and there is no place for cheaters and liars in law enforcement and certainly not in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office,” Gualtieri said in a statement.

Biddle, the agency noted, is accused of providing the exam materials to the recruits. He resigned his post on Monday, the sheriff’s office said.

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