The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has terminated Deputy Mark Perrin for Excessive Use of Force, Offensive Language and Conduct Unbecoming.

Perrin’s actions were called into question on December 15, 2010, after he responded to an altercation between a teenage girl and the ESE aide on her school bus. Witnesses say the degree of physical response Perrin used against the girl was not appropriate and this was later confirmed through surveillance video.

Perrin was placed on administrative leave that day and the agency launched an internal affairs investigation. The Sheriff’s Office must adhere to a formal process that upholds the rights of sworn personnel who are facing disciplinary action. Those options were pursued over the past few weeks and have now been exhausted. Perrin, who had been employed by the agency since 2001, was officially terminated today.

“While this incident is a disgrace, it should only reflect on the deputy himself,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Our agency responded immediately to remove him from duty and thoroughly investigate his actions. This deputy was out of line and his firing should make crystal clear that this type of conduct is not tolerated by this agency.”