PORT
HURON, Michigan — A St. Clair County police officer will stand trial on charges
he granted concealed pistol licenses to a class but failed to provide all
required training.
The
Times Herald of Port Huron reports (http://bwne.ws/1fE38J8 ) Clay Township
officer Ralph Cierpial was bound over to circuit court Tuesday during a hearing.
He faces 27 felony counts of unlawfully granting pistol safety certificates.
Cierpial
declined comment and defense lawyer Daniel Garon waived the right to a
preliminary examination on all but one count. Garon argued one count satisfied
the training requirements but a judge overruled.
The
charges stem from the training held in March at a Port Huron church.
Authorities say Cierpial provided classroom training but not required firing
range instruction.
The
36-year-old officer remains on leave and surrendered his gun and badge.