TDOS Suspends Trooper for Forwarding Inappropriate Email
Friday, November 13, 2009 | 04:41am
TDOS Suspends Trooper for Forwarding Inappropriate Email
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) has suspended Trooper Brent Gobbell for 15 days without pay and imposed mandatory diversity training as discipline for violation of the state’s computer use policy. The disciplinary action follows an internal investigation into dissemination of an inappropriate email that was forwarded on October 9, 2009, by Trooper Gobbell’s state email account to 787 users.
“The action of Trooper Gobbell was inappropriate and unacceptable by a Tennessee State Trooper,” stated Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “The Department of Safety has zero tolerance for any discrimination and does not condone the comments expressed in the external email.”
THP Colonel Mike Walker recommended to Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell that Trooper Gobbell be suspended without pay following a complete and thorough investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Commissioner Mitchell also requested assistance from the State Office of Information Resources (OIR) to ensure an independent and thorough review of Trooper Gobbell’s computer usage.
“Every Trooper receives cadet and in-service training specifically designed to discourage discrimination of any type,” stated THP Colonel Mike Walker. “Conduct of this nature, whether openly expressed or forwarded in the form of emails, will not be tolerated and has not been part of the proud history of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.”
The investigation determined that at approximately 10:39 a.m., October 9, 2009, Trooper Gobbell sent the external email to himself so he could print a copy. At that time, he inadvertently sent the email to 787 state email system recipients by striking a wildcard key using his GroupWise email account. During an interview, Gobbell told OPR investigators that he intended to forward the email to himself and was not aware he had forwarded it to other state employees.
- The investigation determined that Trooper Gobbell received the email at approximately 9:24 a.m. on a state owned computer from someone outside state government. Trooper Gobbell replied to the external sender at 9:34 a.m.
- The investigation revealed that after receiving emails and telephone calls from state employees regarding the forwarded email, Trooper Gobbell deleted the responding emails and attempted to delete the inappropriate email. Trooper Gobbell also notified his supervisor within minutes of knowing the email had been mistakenly sent to state employees.
- The investigation determined that Trooper Gobbell also called the IT Service Desk to report that an email was mistakenly sent out and he requested help to stop or delete it.
- An examination of Trooper Gobbell’s email and computer hard drive uncovered no documents, emails or web sites similar in nature to the email forwarded on October, 9. 2009.
- Trooper Gobbell has apologized for his actions.
- Trooper Gobbell was placed on administrative leave with pay October 9, 2009, pending the investigation. His email account was immediately suspended the same day as soon as the department became aware of the inappropriate email.
As a result of the investigation, OIR has blocked the ability for users to send emails to large numbers of other users by using a wildcard key stroke.
TDOS employees are strongly encouraged to delete questionable and inappropriate emails they receive rather than forwarding them to others. Under the Acceptable Computer Use Policy, employees are prohibited from using network resources for activities that violate conduct policies established by the Department of Human Resources or the Department of Safety. All employees are required to sign the Acceptable Use Policy User Agreement.
Commissioned members of the Department of Safety undergo in-service training which includes Title VI (Civil Rights of 1964) training, specifically addressing issues of discrimination. New cadet training and In-service training also includes instruction on how to make Safe and Legal Traffic Stops (SALTS) which deals with racial profiling. All TDOS employees, including commissioned members, are required to undergo instruction on Workplace Harassment, GO 217, which includes information on electronic devices harassment via computers and mobile phones. Trooper Gobbell received In-Service Training the week of June 26, 2009, and signed the Acceptable Use Policy User Agreement on September 24, 2008.
Trooper Gobbell, 51, is assigned to the Capitol Security Detail at the Supreme Court and was commissioned in 1983.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.