Criminal and civil courts rely on the honesty of police officers for testimony. Usually in a civil case, it’s what they record in a police report. But sometimes officers do things they shouldn’t. That throws their testimony and their character into doubt.
One officer in Macon is facing such a challenge. WMAZ reported that a deputy in Bibb County was fired and arrested for felony theft and Violation of Oath of Office charges.
According to the press release issued by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the officer stole a firearm during a traffic accident from a victim’s vehicle and didn’t give it back.
The investigation discovered that the officer took a wallet, a cell phone, and the firearm, but gave back the wallet and cell phone to the wife of the driver. However, when the wife inquired about the gun, the officer stated “What pistol?”
Later, the gun was found in the officer’s patrol car. An internal investigation found further evidence that the officer violated several other policies. He is now held on a $55,200 bond and was fired on Thursday.
We are glad that this former officer is being held to account for his actions. Officers and other first responders provide vital eyes and ears in accident cases. If we cannot trust them, it’s much harder to discover who is at fault in an accident.
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