ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg police officer was fired Wednesday for losing his police duty belt, which contained his gun, ammunition, holster, Taser and other items at the end of last year, authorities said.
On Dec. 30, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office contacted the St. Petersburg Police Department to let them know that the police duty belt was found behind a store in that county, SPPD said in a news release.
The SPPD equipment room confirmed that the belt belonged to Officer Ramon Ortega.
Ortega didn’t notify a supervisor about the missing belt before his next shift, police said.
A Command Review Board convened by Chief Anthony Holloway found Ortega sustained multiple violations of city and department policies, including negligent loss or damage of department property, improper procedures, and chronic offender of the code of conduct.
Ortega has faced other disciplinary issues in the last 18 months, police said.
He has been a St. Petersburg police officer since October 2020.