HUNTINGTON, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - Huntington Mayor Steve Updike admits to viewing and sending inappropriate emails to other officers when he was a patrolman in 2006, before there was a zero tolerance policy.

“It got to a point where we were all guilty of things whether it be jokes or something around,” Updike said.

Updike says in early 2007 a zero tolerance pornography policy was put into effect for city employees and the inappropriate emails stopped.

“Everybody knew that if they committed that or violated that policy they would be let go and everybody, including me, followed that policy and it ceased,” Updike said.

Updike is speaking out about his participation in the inappropriate emails because many community members are upset Updike re-instated Officer Melbourne Hunnicutt, an officer admitted to viewing pornography and touching himself inappropriately on the job.

Residents believe Hunnicutt had something on the mayor. Updike says that's not true.

“I don't know what that is nor have I talked with him about it,” Updike said.

He says he and Board of Works member Shirley Powell re-instated Hunnicutt because the officer didn't break the law and he believes in second chances.

“He committed a policy violation,” Updike said. “He committed no crime. If you're going to convict me because he's coming back well then I guess it comes under the second chance policy.”

Updike says Hunnicutt will return to the force January 15th if he has completed a number of requirements including, counseling and a getting statement form a professional stating he's fit to return.

“If he violates he falls off that latter and he's done,” Updike said.

Hunnicutt is the sixth employee who's been given a second chance under his Updike's administration.

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