Deputy suspended for side job while on duty

A Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy is currently serving a three-day suspension for running a personal business while on duty.

Deputy Gerald Bemis was selling and purchasing cellphones, a business he operated through Craigslist, Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer said Wednesday.

The mother of a child he attempted to buy a cellphone from notified the sheriff’s office when she noticed the deputy’s uniform and cruiser.

“Luckily, she called us and we did an investigation,” Plummer said. “We don’t tolerate anything like this.”

None of the cellphones Bemis bought and sold were stolen, the sheriff said, adding that he has known Bemis for a long time.

“It’s upsetting because Bemis has been here for 19 years,” Plummer said. “He’s a good employee.”

Bemis received several violations for the incident. He was cited for violation of off-duty employment, violation of rules, unsatisfactory performance, operating a vehicle improperly and violation of ethical conduct.

This is Bemis’ first serious incident, Plummer said, adding that sheriff’s employees are not allowed to get side jobs without permission.

Bemis declined to comment when contacted Wednesday afternoon.

He is president of the Ohio Law Enforcement K9 Association. He was also serving on a number of task forces within the sheriff’s office, but he has since been reassigned to a patrol job “where he can be watched closely and directly supervised, Plummer said.

“Taxpayers are paying him good money to protect them, not to run a side job while on duty,” the sheriff said.

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