Tampa suspends pilot who used police chopper to run errand

TAMPA — Officials suspended a Tampa police helicopter pilot for five days without pay Thursday following an internal affairs investigation into an unscheduled flight last fall.

Dave Dennison, 32, has been working for the department since 2000 and piloting since 2002, said Laura McElroy, a spokeswoman for the police. The investigation found he misused city property.

Dennison flew the chopper to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport last fall during his shift to drop off a fishing net to a friend, McElroy said.

The airport tower called Tampa police the next day to let the agency know about the flight.

McElroy said Dennison was humble and admitted his actions in an administrative hearing.

"The helicopters are costly," McElroy said. "We literally police our helicopter and simply will not tolerate misuse."