TARPON SPRINGS, FL -- The Tarpon Springs Police Department investigated one of its own after he was accused of slashing a man's bike tires.
The internal investigation found serious misconduct on the part of Officer Jeffrey Robinson. It found he used a knife to cut the tires on 46-year-old John Bilawsky's bicycle.
Bilawsky was arrested for trespassing in February and the bicycle he was riding was placed in a secure area. Video shows Robinson removing Bilawsky's bicycle from the area then returning it moments later.
The investigation revealed that Officer Robinson slashed Mr. Bilawsky's bicycle tires with a knife in retaliation for Mr. Bilawsky using racial slurs against him on January 28 during a prisoner transport to the county jail.
Robinson was facing termination, but he resigned effective immediately.
Officer Robinson was formerly employed by NYPD from 1982-through 2002. In July 2006, Officer Robinson was hired by Tarpon Springs Police as a patrol officer.
Bilawsky decided not to press charges.
