Fire captain suspended for 'sexting' on duty

PERKINS TWP. — A Perkins fire captain signed a last-chance agreement after admitting to sending text messages and a video of a sexual nature while on duty in February, according to disciplinary records. Capt. Brent Bronner signed the agreement on Monday, according to documents the Register received after making a public records request. Bronner was charged with violating the department's conduct and ethics policy, according to a notice of pre-disciplinary hearing that was scheduled for March 15. "During an internal review process, Bronner admitted to sending messages and a video while on duty. He also admitted to the sexual nature of the content, which amounted to sexting," Perkins fire Chief David Murphy said. Perkins Township does not possess a copy of the text messages or video, Murphy said. "The messages were sent via a social media (application) which deletes the messages after the recipient views them," he said. The messages and video that were sent to an adult woman were consensual in nature, Murphy said. He added that while nothing criminal in nature had taken place, the messages were sent while Bronner was on duty. Thus disciplinary action was required. The incident came to light when the woman involved told another firefighter, with whom she is acquainted, Murphy said. "There was no formal written or verbal complaint filed," he said. "The firefighter was concerned about the potential content of the messages and the possibility of said messages being sent during Bronner's work hours. The firefighter reported the matter to his direct supervisor on Feb. 23." Bronner, whose base salary is just less than $76,700, must serve five days of suspension within the next three months. Three of the days will be unpaid. The remaining two days can be compensated through use of Bronner's vacation, personal or comp time hours. He must repay the township for the amount of time he was on paid administrative leave. Bronner will be ineligible for promotion for five years from the date he signed the agreement. He has also been ordered to enter therapy for the policy violations for two years, according to the agreement. A licensed therapist will have to provide written notice each month to Murphy that confirms Bronner is continuing the therapy. Bronner is banned from using social media "of any kind or nature while on duty," the agreement states. He will be required to surrender his personal and departmental cellphones, tablet, laptop or other electronic devices to Murphy to confirm compliance. He is forbidden from filing any grievance concerning the issues or discipline imposed in the last-chance agreement. Bronner will be subject to the terms of the agreement for three years. Any violation of the agreement or policy within that time period will result in immediate termination, the document states. Murphy said the report went through the chain of command and he was told on Feb. 25. The next day, he contacted township administrator Gary Boyle. At that point, it was decided that Bronner would be placed on paid administrative leave until an investigation could be completed, Murphy said.