Montgomery
police officer charged with stealing $20 from suicide victim
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
A veteran Montgomery police officer is being charged with
theft after a fellow officer witnessed him taking money from the personal
belongings of a 2012 suicide victim that was being held by the Department.
The officer, Corporal Stanley Wilson, 48, is accused of
pocketing $20 from the victim's personal effects. The charge could cost the
officer his job with the Criminal Investigation Division. He's been with MPD
since 1987.
After being charged with third-degree theft, a Class A
misdemeanor, Wilson was transported to the Montgomery City Jail. Police Chief
Kevin J. Murphy immediately initiated termination proceedings and placed him on
mandatory leave.
"We hold our officers to the highest standards,"
said Chief Murphy. "That is what the public expects and deserves. A theft
of any amount is unacceptable and intolerable within our ranks."
Murphy said the actions of the officer who observed and
reported the theft are consistent with MPD's character and expectations.
No additional details are being released and the Department
declined a request for an on-camera interview.
Canton
Twp. police officer charged with stealing weapon
Canton Township — A longtime Canton police lieutenant was
charged Tuesday with stealing a weapon from the department.
Lt. Jerry Hardesty, 55, a 24-year veteran of the department,
was arraigned in 35th District Court in Plymouth. Judge Michael Gerou set a
personal bond of $5,000, and Hardesty was released.
Hardesty is charged with larceny of a weapon/firearm,
receiving and concealing the weapon and felony firearm. A preliminary hearing
is scheduled for May 24.
In March, Canton Police noticed a weapon was missing from
the department's inventory. The department called in Michigan State Police to
conduct an investigation into what MSP Lt. Michael Shaw described as a
"long gun" type of rifle.
"We recognized a weapon belonging to the department had
gone missing," Public Safety Director Todd Mutchler said at a news
conference. "We requested a Michigan State Police investigation and a
suspect was identified."
Shaw declined to speculate on the reason for the alleged
larceny.
The lieutenant was put on administrative leave last month by
Mutchler, pending an internal investigation, according to a city release.
"The Canton Police Department holds its employees accountable
to the high professional standards set by the organization and remains
committed to providing excellent law enforcement services to the community in
which we serve," Mutchler said.
Suspended
officer retires from Griffith police force
GRIFFITH – A police officer recently suspended for stealing
state grant money has decided to retire, the Safety Board said Thursday.
"We have received Mr. (Michael) Gulley's letter for
retirement" and will forward it to the Police Pension Board, Chairman Jim
Marker said.
The review by the Pension Board is just a formality, board
members said.
Gulley was suspended for 30 days without pay in February
after the board determined through an internal investigation that he took about
$1,600 by falsifying work hour records associated with Operation Pull Over.
During the meeting, the board also voted unanimously to
reconfirm its decision to order the suspension, which was recommended by then
interim Police Chief Matthew Moore.
The vote was taken just to have on the record that the board
reaffirmed its action, Marker noted.
Gulley has paid the money back and no further action is
contemplated by the town, Town Attorney Brent Torrenga said.
Town officials declined to speculate on whether any action
against Gulley might be taken by the state.
In other business, the board introduced Gino, the Police
Department's first canine officer.
A 1 year old German shepherd, he is handled by Patrolman
Robert Gutierrez. The dog is in his second of six weeks of training to prepare
him for active duty, Gutierrez noted.
"I want to take this time to thank the public and
businesses that made it possible," Marker.
