Report Says VCSO Deputy Retired During Inquiry Into Her On-Duty Behavior

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Volusia County, FL - According to an Internal Affairs (IA) report, a former Volusia Sheriff's courthouse deputy retired amidst an investigation into her behavior on the job.

On November 3, 2016, Sergeant Robert Rohm made a formal complaint against then-deputy Tammy Thoman, saying her behavior caused a hostile work environment for himself and other Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) employees at the DeLand Courthouse.

In November of 2015, Thoman made a complaint against Rohm for causing a hostile work environment. Thoman's claim was deemed to be unfounded by Lieutenant Bryan Barnard. During Barnard's investigation into Thoman's claim, Thoman became upset with Sgt. Rohm and allegedly used courthouse surveillance equipment in the control room to spy on him.

According to the IA report, Thoman zoomed into Rohm's face with courthouse surveillance equipment to try to read his lips and zoomed into his hands to try to read his notepad. Thoman was then removed from her assignment in the control room.

Thoman was given a copy of Barnard's inquiry into her claim. At her reassignment to the front door of the courthouse, Thoman was accused of calling several deputies "liars" and "dirt bags" after she began to review the document.

Other complaints against Thoman include her inappropriate use of a cell phone while on duty, disparaging comments against her supervisor and other deputies, and her inappropriate relationship with another deputy which made others feel uncomfortable. Thoman was accused of inappropriate sitting on another deputy's lap and engaging in "horseplay" with him.

Upon being interviewed, Thoman believed she was the victim of a hostile work environment. Thoman said she was "treated differently than other deputies" and that sergeants often picked "favorites."

Over 20 VCSO personnel were interviewed about Thoman's inappropriate behavior. Thoman retired before the investigation was completed on December 4. The investigation concluded that "the overwhelming majority of VCSO personnel felt Deputy Thoman created a negative work environment" and that Sgt. Rohm was "a fair supervisor."

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