The Galion Police Department has suspended Officer John Bourne for 80 hours as a result of negligently handling evidence on a case on August 4, 2013. He will receive 40 hours of unpaid suspension and he will have 40 hours of his vacation time bank removed as part of the suspension. Officer Bourne has been charged and has pled guilty to Dereliction of Duty, a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree through the Crawford County Municipal Court. The charge reads in part that Officer Bourne “did negligently fail to perform a lawful duty in a criminal case or proceeding” between August 4, 2013 and August 6, 2013.
On August 4, 2013, Officer Bourne was the lead officer in an investigation where $731.00 was seized from a suspect. On August 13, 2013, the seized money was being returned to the suspect and it was determined that only $599.00 was in the evidence envelope. The Galion Police Department immediately began an inquiry into the missing money and asked the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a criminal investigation. Once the criminal investigation was complete, the case went to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s office where it was given to a Special Prosecutor for review. The determination of the Special Prosecutor, based upon the evidence of the investigation, was to charge Officer Bourne with negligence under the Dereliction of Duty section of the Ohio Revised Code.
While the money in question has never been recovered, there was no evidence in the criminal or internal investigation that Officer Bourne stole the money. As part of the plea agreement through Municipal Court, Officer Bourne is required to make restitution in the amount of $132.00 to the uncharged suspect.
Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield said “there is no evidence that Officer Bourne stole the money in question. He has taken responsibility for mishandling the evidence and the City of Galion believes that the appropriate disciplinary action has been taken against Officer Bourne. Officer Bourne has been and we believe he will continue to be a good officer for the City of Galion and its citizens.”
Officer Bourne is scheduled to return to his normal work shift on September 27, 2013.”