Jun 13th, 2014 0 Comment
LaPorte FOP Lodge 54 and the
LaPorte Police Department have issued separate press releases regarding the
case of Mark Bishop, a former LaPorte officer who recently resigned after being
charged with embezzling $7,000 from the FOP Lodge.
FOP Lodge 54 statement
“On 04/09/14 LaPorte FOP Lodge
54 President Robert Metcalf discovered a large discrepancy with the lodge’s
account. It was found that then-secretary/treasurer, Mark Bishop, had made many
unauthorized transactions using FOP monies from the account. President Metcalf
immediately notified the lodge officers and started the proper proceedings.
After meeting with the FOP board of Trustees, President Metcalf along with the
board of trustees met with LaPorte Police Chief Adam Klimczak. Mark Bishop
resigned as FOP secretary/treasurer, and later resigned from the LaPorte Police
Department. As a membership of police officers it was determined that the moral
and ethical thing was to have the matter investigated. With the recommendation
of Chief Klimczak the matter was turned over to the Indiana State Police for
investigation.
“President Metcalf stated, ‘It
is unfortunate that a fellow police officer and FOP member would commit such a
selfish and foolish act when considering he is technically stealing from not
only his brothers and sisters, but from the community organizations that the
FOP donates the money to.’ The FOP membership understands that police officers
are held to a higher standard within the community and Mark Bishop was no
exception. From this point FOP Lodge 54 is hoping to recoup the embezzled money
to be able to forward the monies for disbursement to the organizations and
charities that it has had a longstanding relationship with. As for Mark Bishop,
he will have to answer for his actions in a court of law.
“Metcalf said, ‘The mission of
the FOP is one that not only promotes and fosters the enforcement of law and
order, but to encourage, educate, charitable and social activities within the
respective communities they serve. It is important for the community to
understand that the actions of one police officer do not reflect those of
others who put their life on the line to serve and protect every day, and the
FOP is committed to maintaining the high level of standards in which to do so.’
”
LaPorte Police chief statement
“On 4/14/14 Chief Adam Klimczak
met with FOP President Robert Metcalf and the FOP Board of Trustees in regards
to an alleged theft by a lodge member that they had discovered. The FOP
Leadership reported that Mark Bishop had been using the FOP funds for personal
reasons and that several thousand dollars was unaccounted for. After this meeting
Chief Klimczak met with Officer Mark Bishop, who resigned his position with the
LaPorte City Police Department. Chief Klimczak ordered the criminal
investigation of this matter turned over to the Indiana State Police.
“Chief Klimczak stated, ‘’In
cases where criminal activity by a member of this agency is alleged, it is
standard operating procedure to turn that investigation over to the Indiana
State Police. This allows total transparency throughout the investigative
process and allows for a complete investigation from an outside agency. The
department as a whole was very disappointed in the decisions made by one of our
own. It is our hope that the outcome of this unfortunate incident will serve as
a reminder that no one is above the laws that the members of this department
have sworn to enforce.’ ”
