Police Ethical Violations

Police Ethical Violations

University of Phoenix Online

CJS/211

Garth York

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Recently here in my state we had a case of a Blaine County Sheriff’s deputy that misused public funds.  In this case that the Idaho State Police started to investigate in 2015 found that Deputy Chad Schiermeier 40 years old at the time served as the Wood River Middle School resource officer from May 1999 to December 2015 during this time Schiermeier organized the Police Activities League (PAL), a national non-profit organization stated in the 1990’s that is dedicated to prevention of juvenile crime and violence by creating positive relationships with police, the community and local youths.  As the PAL director Schiermeier was also in charge of the programs finances.  

In November 2015, questions arose regarding Schiermeir’s financial management of the PAL account.  At this time then Sheriff Gene Ramsey placed Schiermeier on suspension after the discrepancies in the accounting and possible theft allegations occurred.  In order to avoid conflicts of interest Idaho State Police conducted the investigations into Schiermeier’s financial discrepancies with PAL.  Schiermeier was fired in December of 2015 when it was discovered in the investigation that he allegedly intentionally mismanaged PAL funds.   (Thorne, 2016)

At this time then Sheriff Ramsey stated that Schiermeier stole a substantial amount of money and the investigation stated that Schiermeier allegedly stole money from the PAL U.S Bank account for personal use in the months of January and December of the years 2009,2010,2011,2012, and 2015.  At this time this case is ongoing in the courts.  Here is what I learned from this case, first off in no way should one person regardless of title have full control over an account.  Not only would it keep the other accountable but also honest.  This department sits in a remote mountain

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area in Idaho including Sun Valley, Hailey, Ketchum, Bellevue, Carey, Picabo cities.  The Deputy in this case is an avid hunter and fisherman doing a little more research into this issue Schiermeier used the funds during December and January of each year stated.  These are the months after hunting season is over and he was probably trying to catch up on bills and or replacing family money that he spent hunting.  Schiermeier also owns a taxidermy shop in Twin Falls, ID even at this time.

I personally knew Schiermeier while working for Sportsman’s Warehouse in Twin Falls, ID as the loss prevention manager and found this to be a shock due to his respect and knowing of others.  This case ethically shows that mishandling of funds can happen not only in a government setting but in any business.  Schiermeier took the oath and signed the code of ethics for a peace officer in the great state of Idaho and for that he should be guilty of breaking the code of ethics for personal gain.