SHERIFF RON HICKMAN ee December 4, 2015 TO: Alex Chapa, Deputy (EIN 122152) Homeland Security Bureau SUBJECT: Letter of Reprimand R Violation of Section 300, Policy #303, I., Subsections A, B & D. 7 & 13 and E. 5 & 17, and Policy #305, L., C & F, of the Department Policies. You are hereby reprimanded for not following proper policy and procedure and instructed to review the Harris County Sheriff's Office Policies, particularly those sections cited below. An Administrative Investigation (IAD Case No. 1A2015-00549) reveals you have violated Sheriff's Office policies, rules and regulations by engaging in unprofessional, insubordinate conduct exemplifying behavior contrary to good order. Specifically, on June 13, 2015, you transmitted abusive, vulgar, and insulting remarks to a ranking supervisor via your cellular phone’s text messaging system, which were insubordinate in nature. On this date, Sergeant Touchasee Dan Kributr received text messages from someone, now known to be you, that accused him of causing harm to your family due to his recent transfer to the Vice Unit within the Criminal Investigations Bureau. You believed this transfer was orchestrated by Sergeant Kributr to specifically push your wife, Sergeant Sandra Chapa, as she, at the time, held that position. You further stated in these text messages to Sergeant Kributr that you did not care if he showed them to Chief Montefusco. You have admitted to the wrongfulness of your actions and explained you and your wife leamed of the transfer while on a eruise to Cozumel, Mexico, causing you great concer for your wife as she had become extremely upset by the news. Having very little sleep and unable to console your wife, you became emotional and inflamed knowing she was not only being forced out of a position she was extremely passionate about, but she was no longer going to see your two year old son since she would have to work during the evening shift. Without thinking clearly, you lashed out at the one person you believed caused this unwelcomed and unexpected change in your home life, Sergeant Touchasee Dan Kributr. Although you have since offered a verbal apology to Sergeant Kributr, which he accepted, your unprofessional conduct as illustrated above is inconsistent with the Sheriff's Office’s expectations of its personnel. You are hereby cautioned that any future misconduct on your part may result in the imposition of disciplinary action against you, which may include termination. Detetiys Burese Trews 0 ARMS O ras, Initial —_ Date —_———Personnel Order — Alex Chapz Page 2 of 4 This reprimand is authorized under provisions of the Department Policies and is further predicated upon your violation of certain sections of the Department Policies, as specified herein below: Section 300__ Employee Conduct Policy #303 Conduct Prohibited I. A. Acts or Omissions Contrary to Good Order: No arbitrary rules of conduet can be established which will embrace all cases arising in the general discharge of law enforcement duties or in the personal activities of the individual employee. Therefore, any act or omission contrary to good order and discipline shall be the subject of disciplinary action. B. _ Violation of Rules and Regulations: Each employee of the Sheriff" Office shall be subject to: 1 Reprimand 2. Suspension 3 Reduction in rank, and/or 4, Dismissal from the Sheriff's Office and from service According to the nature of the offense, for violation of the rules and regulations and the code sections appearing in the Department Policies, or for any of the other rules, regulations, general or special orders of the Harris County Sheriff's Office D. The following acts or omissions are expressly prohibited conduct for ‘employees of the Harris County Sheriff's Office: 7. General Behavior No employee shall act or behave privately or in any official capacity in such a manner as to bring discredit upon him/herself or the Sheriff's Office.De paky Personnel Order ~ Alex Chapa, [ a Page 3 of 4 BE. Policy #305 L o« E. 13, Threatening, Abusive, Vulgar or Insulting Language: ‘An employee shall not use threatening, abusive, vulgar or insulting language, or behave in an arrogant manner, toward any other member of the Sheriff"'s Office, the public, or prisoners in custody of the Sheriff's Office. Additional Acts of Improper Conduct: 5. Insubordination: No employee shall willfully disobey any order lawfully issued by supervisory personnel or acting authority, or be disrespectful, mutinous, insolent, or direct abusive language toward any supervisory personnel or acting authority. Flouting the authority of any supervisory personnel or acting authority, by obvious disrespect or by disputing orders, shall likewise be deemed insubordination. 17, Willful violation of any of the rules set forth in the Sheriff's Office policies or any Bureau / Division written order or directive order. Performance of Duty Discharge of Dutis ach employee of the Harris County Sheriff's Office shall, at all times, conduet \self/herself responsibly and display proper demeanor, in order to bring credit upon himself/herself and the Sheriff's Office Each employee shall perform his/her duties in accordance with the department policies, job description, the policies and procedures maintained by the bureau to which assigned, and all applicable Sheriff's Office or Bureau orders and memoranda. Harmony and Cooperation: Employees shall conduct themselves in a manner to ensure optimal cooperation with each other and with other Bureaus of the Sheriff's Office, as well as with the employees of other County, City, State, Federal government agencies, and the public.Personnel Order ~ Alex Chapa, pashedosticer Page 4 of 4 You are further notified that this document will be placed in your permanent personnel file, effective immediately. If you so desire, you have 15 days in which to file a written response. Your response will also be placed in your permanent personnel file. REVIEWED: Disciplinary Review Board Chairman My signature aflixed below acknowledges that I have received and read this personnel order. Alex Chapa, Deputy 134 IG Date ce: Human Resources Personnel File Bureau Personnel file PEWS tees WITNESSED: Date: 2:4: 29,