Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Professional Standards Bureau
- Administrative Investigation Division

Deputy Austen Callus
Age: 23
Previous Assignment: Patrol Operations Bureau- North District
Date of Hire: 11/28/2016
Date of Termination: 06/29/2017

What:
A patrol deputy on probationary status is terminated for misconduct after placing an inappropriate social media post on the internet.

When:
The investigation began on June 27, 2017.

The deputy was terminated on June 29, 2017.

Where:
The deputy was employed at the Pinellas County Sheriff’ Office located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:
Deputy Austen Callus applied for employment to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy recruit on September 6, 2016.

Callus successfully completed the normal hiring process that included a background check, a polygraph examination, an oral board interview, and a psychological examination. The hiring process indicated that Callus was a quality candidate for the deputy recruit position.

Callus was hired by the Sheriff’s Office on November 28, 2016, at which time he started onboarding which included in-house training and field training.

Callus successfully completed the Field Training Program on May 27, 2017, and was assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau as a deputy patrolling North District.     

On Tuesday June 27, 2017, the Administrative Investigation Division received a complaint regarding several inappropriate posts involving Callus on the Snapchat application. One post included a photograph of Callas who was off duty, with a written comment saying, “Nothing like almost shooting someone to set your head right lol. God I gate people with knives.”

Investigators immediately confronted Callus about the post and he admitted to placing the photograph and statement on Snapchat, June 25, 2017.

As a result of Callus’ inappropriate comments and out of concern for the safety of others, he was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.  Callus’ guns and credentials were collected from him. Effective Thursday, June 29, 2017, Callus’ employment was terminated.  

Callus was still on probationary status at the time of his termination.