Fort Worth, Texas
A veteran Fort Worth police sergeant has been fired on accusations that he repeatedly worked only three to four hours a day but fabricated his time sheets to indicate eight-hour shifts.
Two other jail sergeants, also in focus of the investigation, avoided discipline Friday. One resigned from the Police Department and the other by voluntarily taking a demotion.
A fourth sergeant, who officials say left early on only one occasion, received a commander's admonishment.
John C. Ost, who had been with the department since 1990, was terminated effective Tuesday.
Sgt. Donald McFarland resigned Friday, on the same day he was scheduled to meet with Police Chief Jeff Halstead to be disciplined. As required, the department will notify the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education that McFarland, a 25-year veteran, was "dishonorably discharged."
In a meeting Friday afternoon with the chief, Sgt. Jeff Valmores voluntarily accepted a demotion to corporal in lieu of termination.
Ost had previously been suspended five times since 1997, including a five-day suspension after his third car wreck, according to the letter. In all, Ost had 19 sustained violations on his internal affairs record.
McFarland had 12 sustained allegations in his internal affairs record, Henderson said. Civil service records show he had only been suspended once, for 30 days in lieu of termination in April 2009 over allegations of family violence.
"I think the chief has made it very clear from Day One that the public expects police officers to come to work every day, to work hard and to possess the highest levels of integrity," said Lt. Paul Henderson, a police spokesman. "We have a great Police Department. The vast majority possess those three key elements and it's unfortunate that a very minor percentage can tarnish our reputation."
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