4 Overland Park law enforcement officials on depart amid investigation. How a lot has it price?

The Metropolis of Overland Park has spent practically $250,000 on salaries for 4 officers who have been positioned on paid administrative depart over 9 months in the past.

Sgt. Timothy Tinnin, Sgt. Rachel Scattergood, Sgt. Brandon Faber and Officer Bradley Heater have been positioned on depart Could 6, in keeping with information from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the company answerable for issuing and revoking police certifications.

The 4 have been on depart whereas the Johnson County District Lawyer’s Workplace investigates criminal allegations involving a police nonprofit the place three of them have served as administrators.

The investigation stems from the findings of an audit of the Overland Park Police Officers Basis that was reported to members of the Fraternal Order of Police, union president Dianna Johnson stated in an announcement in Could.

Scattergood and Faber’s names seem on recent years of tax documents for each the muse and the FOP. Tinnin’s identify is listed on tax paperwork for the muse. Heater’s identify seems on tax paperwork for the FOP.

The 4 officers make between $73,831 and $84,738, in keeping with information from the Metropolis of Overland Park.

Overland Park spokeswoman Meg Ralph stated the town has no management over the length of the investigation. However the metropolis can put workers on paid depart on the discretion of their division director or human sources, in keeping with metropolis coverage.

“Paid administrative depart is just not a type of self-discipline; disciplinary motion, if acceptable, would happen upon the conclusion of the prison or inner investigation,” Ralph added.

Lauren Bonds, government director of the Nationwide Police Accountability Mission, stated it’s common for taxpayers to subsidize paid depart when officers are investigated for misconduct on the job. However she stated this case was totally different as a result of the allegations surfaced from their work with the muse.

“You may possibly perceive the argument that the general public ought to pay for officers who’re being investigated in the middle of efficiency of their work for the town,” Bonds stated. “That argument is tougher to make when the investigation is for personal actions that weren’t in furtherance of the police division’s main mission. Taxpayers are justified in worrying that their {dollars} are getting used right here.”

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The Star reached out to the six council members who serve on Overland Park’s public safety committee. Councilman Faris Farassati stated he had not been informed something concerning the standing of the investigation and subsequently couldn’t remark.

Councilwoman Melissa Cheatham forwarded the request for remark to Metropolis Supervisor Lori Luther, writing “Please advise.” Luther responded by sending an e mail to the governing physique in addition to Police Chief Frank Donchez directing media inquiries to her and Ralph, in keeping with emails obtained by way of an open information request.

Melody Webb, a spokeswoman for the DA’s workplace, stated Wednesday they’re unable to remark. A message left at a cellphone quantity listed on tax varieties for the muse was not returned.