Troubled sergeant faces new Metro probe

Cathy Scott

Friday, July 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Metro Police Sgt. Ron Fox, recently suspended for falsifying documents, is under investigation again, this time for allegedly using an on-duty officer and department computer to study for a lieutenant exam.

Fox reportedly studied for the test while on the job.

Fox scored high and was ranked No. 2 on the promotions list, but his name was removed after it was learned that documents had been forged and falsified with then-Capt. Steve "Whitey" Franks, 47. Franks allegedly forged a captain's signature on three evaluations for Fox.

Franks was demoted to lieutenant and suspended without pay for three weeks, along with the 35-year-old Fox, beginning June 1. Both appealed the actions to the Civil Service Board after Undersheriff Richard Winget denied an appeal to reverse the punishments.

A Civil Service Board hearing is pending.

About two weeks ago, Internal Affairs Bureau investigators seized a desktop computer from the southwest area command, at 5925 Spring Mountain Road near Jones Boulevard.

At Fox's direction, sources say, a female officer on light duty at the southwest substation typed in excerpts from study materials and books into a computer at the substation.

The materials are recommended reading in preparation for taking the written portion of the lieutenant test.

Sgt. Greg McCurdy confirmed that "there is another internal investigation on Fox."

He said, "It's the second investigation of Fox," but noted that they're "two independent issues and they'll be dealt with independently."

Fox faces discipline ranging from an oral reprimand to dismissal.

"I wouldn't speculate on what the discipline might be," McCurdy said.

After the first investigation, Fox was relocated to the northwest substation and Franks was moved to Metro's forgery section.