Deputy Dante Ginn-Davis, a Pinellas County deputy, was suspended after internal investigators claim he watched movies on Netflix while an inmate threw up alarming amounts of blood in his jail cell.
During the night shift of November 17, 2021, leading into November 18, Deputy Ginn-Davis was tasked to oversee the special area of Pinellas County Jail where, because of their classification statuses, inmates require dedicated watch. To work in this high-alert area, deputies must monitor inmates through live video on their computers and by conducting security walks and well-being checks every 15-minutes.
Based on internal investigation reports, Ginn-Davis began watching Netflix on a computer at his work station at 7:59 p.m. on the evening of November 17. When Netflix was opened on the screen, it blocked the surveillance footage that deputies are required to observe.
During the majority of Ginn-Davis' 11 hour work shift that night, he watched Netflix while ignoring the inmates. On November 18 around 4:20 a.m., one of the inmates Ginn-Davis was supposed to be watching began vomiting large amounts of blood in his cell. While this was going on, Ginn-Davis nd another deputy still watched Netflix movies, missing the entire incident on surveillance.
Shortly thereafter, the deputies did their security walks, but still missed seeing the blood on the floor in the sick inmate's cell. It wasn't until after the shift change in the morning that another deputy discovered the blood and notified medical staff who arranged for the inmate to be taken to the hospital.
As punishment for failing to perform his duties to properly supervise inmates, especially in a high-watch area, Ginn-Davis received a 40 hour suspension which spans 4 shifts.
In-depth research conducted by Valid Media uncovered additional details surrounding Ginn-Davis' employment with Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. On May 11, 2021, Ginn-Davis was recognized for completing his 420-hour Corrections Academy training during a graduation ceremony at the St. Petersburg College Allstate Center. Perhaps more training is needed.
Do you think this punishment is harsh enough? Do you think Ginn-Davis has always misused his time on the clock? Do tax payers approve of paying law enforcement officers to watch Netflix instead of supervising high alert inmates?
Let's put some pressure on Pinellas County and keep watching them. Valid Media will keep you posted.
