Post by KC on Jun 13, 2006 21:05:56 GMT -5
June 13, 2006 - MISHAWAKA — A Mishawaka police officer faces misconduct charges in connection with the mishandling of property taken from a city resident.
Cpl. Jeffery Stanifer faces punishment ranging from a 180-day suspension to losing his job.
The Mishawaka Board of Public Works and Safety will decide whether he is guilty of the charges and what his punishment will be.
If Stanifer asks for a hearing, it will be held at 11 a.m. July 5 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Chief Kenneth Witkowski submitted charges against Stanifer of violation of rules, immoral conduct, conduct unbecoming an officer and breach of discipline.
The “detail of charges” document said that on March 4 Stanifer took possession of two DVDs, several smoking pipes and a tray.
Only the smoking pipes were “receipted into property” at the department and they were entered as “found property.”
The detail of charges said that was an improper classification.
Stanifer is also charged with showing the two DVDs to fellow officer later in the day while on duty and telling them that they came from a call.
“Such actions are unethical and tend to demean, debase, disgrace and degrade the officer and the department and otherwise creates disrespect for law and order,” the charges read.
The breach of discipline charge reads, “confiscation of objects from a private citizen’s home during an official police call and subsequent use for personal reasons constitutes a serious offense.”
In the notice of charges, Witkowski wrote that he instituted an internal affairs investigation after getting information from fellow police officers.
Stanifer is on paid administrative leave.
Cpl. Jeffery Stanifer faces punishment ranging from a 180-day suspension to losing his job.
The Mishawaka Board of Public Works and Safety will decide whether he is guilty of the charges and what his punishment will be.
If Stanifer asks for a hearing, it will be held at 11 a.m. July 5 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Chief Kenneth Witkowski submitted charges against Stanifer of violation of rules, immoral conduct, conduct unbecoming an officer and breach of discipline.
The “detail of charges” document said that on March 4 Stanifer took possession of two DVDs, several smoking pipes and a tray.
Only the smoking pipes were “receipted into property” at the department and they were entered as “found property.”
The detail of charges said that was an improper classification.
Stanifer is also charged with showing the two DVDs to fellow officer later in the day while on duty and telling them that they came from a call.
“Such actions are unethical and tend to demean, debase, disgrace and degrade the officer and the department and otherwise creates disrespect for law and order,” the charges read.
The breach of discipline charge reads, “confiscation of objects from a private citizen’s home during an official police call and subsequent use for personal reasons constitutes a serious offense.”
In the notice of charges, Witkowski wrote that he instituted an internal affairs investigation after getting information from fellow police officers.
Stanifer is on paid administrative leave.