Avon Police Officer Terminated Over Social Media Use

An Avon police officer has been terminated because of his social media activity, town officials confirmed Monday. 
 
Town officials said that Todd Akerley was fired due to improper social media interactions with students. 

Avon Police Chief Mark Rinaldo told the Hartford Courant that the department put Akerley on administrative leave while investigating a May 23 complaint prior to his Oct. 3 termination.

It is unclear at this time how long the investigation and leave period lasted.

Akerley is a longtime officer with the department. He has been active in Avon schools in educating students through department programs like the D.A.R.E. anti-drug series and National Red Ribbon Week presentations. He also was active in department fundraising efforts like the annual Stuff a Cruiser event to collect toys for patients at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. 

Rinaldo told the Courant that Akerley's contact through social media with students, mostly on photo-sharing phone app Instagram, violated a department policy. But he also told the newspaper that officials have not found Akerley's social media interactions to be sexual in nature or criminal.

The Avon Police Department is awaiting a report from the Department of Children and Families' separate investigation into the May complaint, the Courant reported. 

Patch couldn't reach the police department or the Town Manager's Office for comment because it was after hours but has left messages with both. Patch sent Akerley a message seeking comment but couldn't reach him immediately.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.