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Plantation Officer Disciplined For Inappropriate Text Messages

PLANTATION (CBS4) - A veteran Plantation police officer who reportedly sent inappropriate text messages to a victim of domestic violence has been suspended for 16 hours without pay.

The incident happened on May 1st when Joseph Sposa responded to a call from a woman who had been pushed down stairs by her mother. Plantation police said Sposa began texting the woman later that day, offering to take her on his motorcycle, calling her "love" and signing one with x's and o's.

An internal affairs report said Sposa put his own interests in developing a relationship before his duties as an officer.

Sposa told investigators the text messages were to check on her and "cheer her up."

Police union president Joseph Mercogliano said "he accepted responsibility for his actions and he's very remorseful."

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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