Northside Coalition reacts to JSO internal investigation of offensive JSO officer tweets

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 70-page document details the entire internal investigation JSO had on Sgt.Doug Howell.

Howell is currently a Sgt. over the gang unit.

Action News Jax first told you back in October when several screenshots surfaced from Howell’s social media page that some community members called racist and even attacked the LGBTQ community

The internal investigation shows 21 different screenshots of comments that Howell made on Twitter.

Action News Jax Law and safety expert Dale Carson says these types of comments from an officer, just aren’t right

I’m a big proponent of flying under the radar. When you acknowledge your profession in law enforcement, you are subject to retaliation. Most officers don’t want their family photographer or anything directly connected with them,” says Carson.

After a thorough investigation that lasted 16 days according to JSO, Howell was investigated for three counts of potential policy violation: one count of biased-based conduct and two counts of violation of social media policy.

The count of biased-based conduct against Sgt. Howell was unfounded, and the two counts of violation of social media policy were sustained.

Carson says after this investigation, it could hurt Howell and his credibility.

“The public loses its ability to trust thoroughly law enforcement and that impacts its ability to solve and prevent crimes,” says Carson.

The Northside Coalition did issue this statement about this investigation saying quote.

“This officer has made clear that he dislikes black people.it is shocking that JSO brass has decided to overlook his racism. The Sheriff should instead fire him and publicly condemn his behavior. The lack of punishment and the bogus internal investigation is a sham and a scam. This lack of accountability erodes the level of trust between JSO and the black community,”.

According to JSO Howell he has received counseling for his sustained violations.

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