An Anacortes police officer was fired last month for using his computer outside the department’s guidelines.

Bradford Stavig was terminated from the Anacortes Police Department June 24 after an internal investigation of misconduct related to use of department-issued equipment for personal use, according to a press release.

Police Chief Bonnie Bowers said there was nothing illegal about the misuse but the policy is clear: Personal computer use is authorized only during break times or lunch.

“We are not authorized to use our city computer unless we are on a work day,” she said.

For example, Bowers said an employee could not complete his or her income taxes on a day off.

She would not expand on what personal issue Stavig was using his computer for.

“These violations were serious enough that termination was appropriate,” she said.

A message left at a phone listing for Stavig was not returned Monday.

The Anacortes Police Guild has filed a grievance on behalf of Stavig, appealing the termination. The grievance is still under review.

“We’re currently in the process of working with our legal people,” said Dave Floyd, president of the Anacortes Police Services Guild. He said he did not have all the specifics on the exact nature of the misuse of the computer when asked what Stavig did to prompt the city to fire him.

He said it is pretty standard to file a grievance when a union member is terminated.

The guild will explain to the city why it feels the city should reconsider the termination. Floyd said the city can then choose to reconsider or stick with its original decision.

The guild can then opt to go to arbitration where a third party would make a determination, he said. The process can take up to a year.

“Unfortunately it’s not a quick answer to anything,” Floyd said.

Stavig was hired as a dispatcher in 1992 and was hired as a patrol officer in 2002.

Bowers said the department has started the search for a replacement officer.

In addition, an officer is retiring at the end of July, creating a second opening in the department. Bowers said the department is in the middle of interviews for that position.

Once new officers are hired they have to go to academy for five months and then have three months in field training.

Interviews are planned next month for the open captain position, which has been vacant since Bowers was hired as chief in May. If an Anacortes officer is promoted to the position, a third patrol officer position will be open.