Jax Beach police officer resigns during investigation into alleged misuse of database

A Jacksonville Beach police officer resigned while under investigation for misusing a statewide law enforcement database.

The Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database, known as DAVID, gives law enforcement officers access to personal information.

That includes drivers' license photos, driving records, the make and model of their vehicles, and more.
A JBPD internal investigation record shows the agency was considering firing the patrol officer because he was on probation and in the Field Training Program.

But the officer resigned the day before his complaint evaluation hearing was scheduled to take place.
Action News Jax is not naming the former officer because he was not disciplined or charged with a crime.

A Jacksonville Beach Police officer resigned while under investigation for misusing a statewide law enforcement database. Only on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax at 5, who he's accused of looking up and why. pic.twitter.com/yu5vhyKh3Y
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) March 11, 2019

Internal investigators at JBPD reported they found the officer improperly searched his wife’s name, who he said was cheating on him.

Investigative records say the officer told his superiors “it was all a mistake and he was only trying to become more proficient with the database.”

It's not the first time local officers have been accused of misusing the DAVID system.

In September 2018, Action News Jax reported a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer admitted to using the DAVID system to look up information about his wife's ex-husband for personal reasons.

“Since I’ve never been in trouble with him or been investigated, I feel just, like, violated almost,” said Frank Byrne, the ex-husband. “What did I do wrong? Why did he do that?”

In April 2018, Action News Jax reported another JBPD officer quit without notice while under investigation for improperly accessing the DAVID system while off-duty.

He started a new job at JSO days later.

JBPD Cmdr. Tommy Crumley told Action News Jax the agency does quarterly and annual audits of officers’ DAVID system use.