WASHINGTON - Four D.C. police officers operating out of the Sixth District station in Northeast have been accused of stealing toys dropped off for the Toys for Tots program, WTOP has learned.
The officers have not been charged with a crime at this point, but D.C. Police Spokesperson Traci Hughes says an internal investigation is underway.
The four cops have been placed on non-contact status, which means they have been taken off the street and put on desk jobs. They will continue to get paid, but will have no contact with the public and will not carry a gun or badge.
"Anytime we are involved in programs that have potential for abuse we ask for the assistance of our Internal Affairs to maintain the integrity of our department and our members," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier says. "In this case, I am sad to say that monitoring has uncovered some questionable behavior of a few of our members."
Lanier says any officer found to have taken toys intended for the city's youth "will be be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The officers have not been charged with a crime at this point, but D.C. Police Spokesperson Traci Hughes says an internal investigation is underway.
The four cops have been placed on non-contact status, which means they have been taken off the street and put on desk jobs. They will continue to get paid, but will have no contact with the public and will not carry a gun or badge.
"Anytime we are involved in programs that have potential for abuse we ask for the assistance of our Internal Affairs to maintain the integrity of our department and our members," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier says. "In this case, I am sad to say that monitoring has uncovered some questionable behavior of a few of our members."
Lanier says any officer found to have taken toys intended for the city's youth "will be be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
