Chief dispatcher will retire, won't be disciplined after porn is found on computer

Southampton Village Police Department’s chief public safety dispatcher will not be disciplined for downloading pornographic photos and videos onto his work computer, and though he is still expected to retire, he will stay on the job longer than originally planned.

Mayor Mark Epley confirmed this week that the dispatcher in question is Wayne Petry, the highest-ranking dispatcher in the village, who was hired in 1996 and promoted in 2007 to the supervisory position that he currently holds. He earns $101,395 a 
year on the job, according to Village Administrator Stephen Funsch.

Mr. Epley also disclosed plans this week for Mr. Petry to go on “terminal leave” in September and retire in December. Previously, Mr. Epley, who is also the police commissioner, said the chief dispatcher would file his retirement papers by the end of July.

Terminal leave allows employees to take accumulated time off before they officially end their employment.

“It’s for the good of the village. We do not have to pay out a lump sum of cash to someone,” the mayor said of the latest plan for Mr. Petry, adding that the veteran is needed to provide further job training to two recently hired dispatchers. “I want to make sure those dispatchers are really trained and able to handle emergency situations, and, to me, that’s more important.”

Mr. Petry did not return a call for comment this week.

The pornography on Mr. Petry’s computer was uncovered during an investigation of police department computers launched by Police Chief William Wilson Jr. on April 8. After the dozen pornographic images and video were discovered, Mr. Epley and Chief Wilson said it would be in the village’s best interest for the dispatcher to retire or resign rather than drag the village through a potentially long and expensive disciplinary proceeding.

Because he is retiring, no disciplinary action will be taken against him, Mr. Epley said this week.

Chief Wilson has refused to discuss the situation because it is a personnel matter.

Meanwhile, another internal police department investigation has been launched into a matter involving Sergeant Erik Fromm, who was suspended indefinitely with pay by the Village Board last week, the mayor said. Mr. Epley and Chief Wilson refused to provide any information about what prompted the suspension this week.

“Sgt. Fromm was suspended for a reason, but I’m not going to comment on anything that has to do with Sgt. Fromm, because I’m legally prohibited from doing so,” the chief said this week. “The matter is going to move forward, I hope, quickly and efficiently, but I don’t know if that will be the case,” he said, adding that the sergeant, who has been with the department since 1985 and a sergeant since 2003, according to village records, is “entitled to due process under civil service and village law.”

Sgt. Fromm said last week he did not know why he was being disciplined, but did not return requests for comment this week.

“I assume it will have to be wrapped up before any decisions are made,” Mr. Epley said of 
the investigative process. He 
said he could not comment further.

Any complaints filed regarding police officers are not public record, according to Civil Rights Law.