Former Coral Springs police officer accused of inappropriate conduct by several women

Coral Springs, Florida – A former Coral Springs Police Department officer who spent years working as a School Resource Officer at J.P. Taravella High School is at the center of a completed internal affairs investigation after several women reported what police described as inappropriate behavior and conversations of a sexual nature.

The Coral Springs Police Department announced Friday that its investigation into retired officer Raymond Kerner has been completed and is now part of the public record. Kerner could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to CSPD, Kerner served as a School Resource Officer at J.P. Taravella High School for eight years, from 2013 through 2021. He retired from the department in 2022 but returned later that same year to work part time as a Seasonal School Resource Officer.

The investigation began after several women came forward with allegations involving Kerner’s conduct while he was serving at the school. Police said the women described inappropriate behavior as well as conversations of a sexual nature.

CSPD said Kerner was relieved of duty immediately after the accusations were reported. He is no longer employed by the department.

The release of the completed investigation has also prompted Chief Brad Mock to encourage anyone else who may have experienced similar conduct to contact police. Mock said the department recognizes that some people may have chosen not to report their experiences at the time.

“Given the nature of the information uncovered during this investigation, I recognize there may be others who have had similar experiences and never reported them,” Mock said. “I want them to know that they can come forward and they will be heard.”

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Police are asking anyone with information about inappropriate conduct involving Kerner to contact Sgt. Ernesto Bruna at 954-346-1234.

The department’s announcement focused heavily on the responsibility of officers, particularly those assigned to schools. Mock said officers working around students are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism because of the authority and trust placed in them.

The chief said the department holds its officers to an “exceptionally high standard,” adding that accountability is especially important when officers are serving in an educational environment.

“Accountability matters. Transparency matters. We investigated these allegations, took immediate action, and now the investigation is closed,” Mock said. “We will not hide from conduct that falls short of what this department and our community expects.”

The chief continued by emphasizing the expectations placed on the department and its officers.

“As Chief of Police, I expect better. Our department expects better. Our residents and most importantly, our students and families, deserve better.”

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School Resource Officers have a unique role because they work not only with law enforcement responsibilities but also around students, teachers, parents and school administrators. Mock said that position requires officers to understand the boundaries that come with their authority.

Mock added: “School Resource Officers are placed in a position of authority and trust,” the chief said. “Students, parents, school administrators and our community have every right to expect that the officers serving in our schools will conduct themselves with professionalism, integrity and always maintain appropriate boundaries.”

The chief also described the alleged conduct uncovered during the investigation as “inexcusable.”

“Wearing this badge gives an officer authority, but it also places great responsibility on that officer to exercise good judgement and protect the trust placed in us,” he said. “That responsibility is especially important when an officer works with our youth.”

Kerner’s history with the department included a lengthy assignment at J.P. Taravella, where he served as a School Resource Officer for most of the period between 2013 and 2021. After retiring from the police department in 2022, he returned to the school resource program in a part-time seasonal position later that year.

The investigation followed reports made by several women, and police said the allegations concerned conduct and conversations that occurred during Kerner’s time serving at the school. CSPD has now closed its internal affairs investigation, but the department continues to invite additional information from anyone who believes they may have relevant details.

The police department said those with information can contact Sgt. Bruna at 954-346-1234. The department’s appeal comes as Chief Mock stresses that people who may have had similar experiences should not assume their concerns will be ignored.

The allegations and the completed internal investigation involve a former officer who is no longer employed by CSPD. The department’s public statement did not provide additional details about the individual allegations or identify the women who reported the conduct.

For CSPD, the case has also become an opportunity to reaffirm the standards expected of officers assigned to schools. Mock said those officers are entrusted with working around young people and must maintain professional boundaries while carrying the authority of a police badge.

The department’s investigation is now closed, according to CSPD, but police are still asking anyone with additional information to come forward.