BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
FRANKLIN -- Police Officer Pamela Abshear will be suspended for three days without pay after marijuana plants and seeds from the police department's property room ended up in Middletown, Police Chief Robert Rockwood said Friday.
Officer Abshear also will be required to attend the first available property-room management training course, and she will work full time in the property room until the room is organized. The suspension will be at the department's convenience, Chief Rockwood said.
"Patrol Officer Abshear failed to maintain proper security for the items during the inventory process," Chief Rockwood said. "This allowed unauthorized persons access to the property."
As the department's property officer, Officer Abshear was responsible for securing the property, Chief Rockwood said. It was not determined who removed the drugs.
She was placed on administrative leave last month after Middletown lawyer Jerry Bryant turned over the missing drugs to Middletown police.
A criminal investigation into the incident determined that there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges. An administrative investigation was completed Friday.
"The uncompromising integrity of property - evidence trusted to the care of any law enforcement agency is essential to its function," Chief Rockwood said. "She realized where she erred."
