Some employees will still be able to use the Internet.
(PORTLAND, Ore.) - There's a new sheriff in town, and he is putting the kibosh on Internet usage for employees of the busy Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. The move will limit employees on keeping up on things like the day's news, but the Sheriff believes banning the Internet will be more in the public's better interest.
Following a 5 month consideration of the issue of internet use by MCSO employees, Sheriff Bob Skipper announced a change in the authorization required for employees to access the internet.
He says the policy 'upgrade' was driven by a 2007 investigation of three MCSO employees who had logged onto inappropriate internet sites during duty hours. Sheriff Skipper, who took office on July 17th, replacing long time Sheriff Bernie Giusto, was apprised of the on-going investigations and ordered an internal audit to evaluate internet use.
He announced today that effective December 1st 2008, employees will have to be authorized by Command in order to access the internet, and the authorization will be granted only if there are specific work related duties. Skipper says those reasons include investigations, research and criminal intelligence, performed by employees that require access to the internet.
Sheriff Skipper stated, following the conclusion of the audit, "I no longer believe that [unrestricted] access and use of the internet is a wise use of public money or that it is in the public's interest."
The investigation into the three cases of inappropriate internet use have been completed and are currently in Command review. The Sheriff's Office did not elaborate on circumstances. Some corporate businesses have restricted Internet usage over employees visiting ebay.
Multnomah Sheriff Bans Internet for EmployeesSalem-News.com