Sergeant who led wrongful tasing gets suspension, probation

PORT RICHEY

Cop who led tasing suspended one day

The police sergeant who oversaw the triple tasing of a man mistaken as a fugitive has been disciplined with a one-day suspension and three months' probation.

Sgt. Robert Kern's 31st disciplinary action since his hire in 1986 is worthy of "immediate demotion," Chief Dave Brown wrote. "The only way that this incident could have worsened would have been if our officers had tased each other," he wrote.

Yet Brown added that Kern, the department's third in command, would be able to continue at rank if he complies with police code.

Kern was disciplined with another day of suspension and three more months of probation for another violation — failing to take evidence after a burglary — on the same day last month.

Including the recent cases, records show Kern has undergone at least 11 suspensions for a total of 24 days and four hours without pay.