NEWS > 17 July 2006

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Naples Daily News - Naples,FL,
17 July 2006

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Two officers fired after degre

Two Naples police officers who received pay increases after getting their degrees from a diploma mill were fired, police officials said today.

Detective Sgt. Joe Popka and Community Policing Officer Drew McGregor both received degrees from Almeda University in Criminal Justice Administration. Almeda University's Web site says its online program offers a degree for "life experience," which can be purchased for $595 and received in only a few days.

Almeda says it is accredited by the Council For Distance Education Accreditation, the Association for Online Academic Excellence and Interfaith Education Ministries. None of those accrediting agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The school's site also warns that "the degrees are not legal for academic or business use" in Florida and several other states. "Residents of these states should consider the Almeda degree as a novelty item only," Almeda's Web site says.

Naples Deputy Chief Jim Slap said the officers were terminated late Friday for improper conduct and violations of the department's policies, including ethics.

"They were compelled to give us the information, or else they faced termination," Slapp said of the city's administrative internal investigation. "There's a long process ahead."

They can appeal their terminations to City Manager Bob Lee, Slapp said, and if they're unsuccessful, they can go before an arbitrator. He said they have seven days to appeal.

However, he noted that the State Attorney's Office is continuing its criminal investigation, which could bar them collecting pensions if they are convicted of criminal charges. "They have the right to remain silent," Slapp said of the criminal investigation.

Slapp said he could not release details of the department's administrative investigation -- and what the officers admitted to -- until the state finishes its criminal probe.

Popka was a 20-year award-winning veteran who earned $71,192 while heading the Street Crimes Unit. McGregor is a seven-year veteran who earned $51,211 yearly and recently was named the Community Policing Officer for the Port Royal and Aqualane Shores area.

Officers are awarded state incentive pay, with an associate degree adding $30 monthly to a paycheck and a bachelor's degree increasing it by $80 a month. Authorities said officers can boost their paychecks up to $130 monthly.

Popka was forced to pay back a $620 salary increase after city officials concluded Almeda University was a degree mill. Information on McGregor's salary boost or payback was not immediately available.

Chere Avery, a spokeswoman for the State Attorney's Office, said the investigation is continuing and it was uncertain how long it would take. Because the facts might change, she said she couldn't comment on what criminal charges they might face.

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Article sourced from

Naples Daily News - Naples,FL,17 July 2006

Two officers fired after degre

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Naples Daily News - Naples,FL,
17 July 2006