Four Overland Park police officers are on leave pending the investigation. How much did it cost?

The City of Overland Park spent nearly $250,000 on salaries for four officers who were placed on paid administrative leave more than nine months ago.

Sergeant Timothy Tinnin, Sgt. Rachel Scattergood, Sgt. Brandon Faber and Officer Bradley Hiter were placed on leave May 6, according to records Kansas Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, Police is the body responsible for issuing and revoking certification.

The four remain on leave while the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office investigates Criminal charges involving a police nonprofit Where three worked as directors.

The investigation stems from the results of an audit of the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation that was reported to members of the Fraternal Order of Police, union President Diana Johnson said in a statement in May.

The names of Scattergood and Faber appear Tax documents for the most recent year For both foundation and FOP. Tinin’s name is on the foundation’s tax documents. The hitter’s name appears on the FOP’s tax documents.

The four officers earned between $73,831 and $84,738, according to City of Overland Park records.

Overland Park spokeswoman Meg Ralph said the city has no control Length of investigation. But according to city policy, the city can place employees on paid leave at the discretion of their department director or human resources.

“Granted administrative leave is not a form of discipline; Disciplinary action, if appropriate, will occur at the conclusion of a criminal or internal investigation,” Ralph added.

Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, said it’s common for taxpayers to subsidize paid leave when officers are investigated for misconduct on the job. But he said this case was different because the allegations arose out of their work with the foundation.

“You might understand the argument that the public should pay for officers who are being investigated during their job performance for the city,” Bonds said. “This argument is difficult to make when the investigation is for private actions that were not in furtherance of the police department’s primary mission. Taxpayers are right to be concerned that their dollars are being used here.”

The story continues

The Star reached out to six council members who work in Overland Park Public Safety Committee. Councilman Faris Farasati said he had not been told the status of the investigation and therefore could not comment.

Councilwoman Melissa Cheatham referred the request for comment to City Manager Lori Luther, “Please advise.” According to emails obtained by Luther through an open records request, the governing body as well as Police Chief Frank Donchez responded by sending an email to him and Ralph directing questions from the media.

Melody Webb, a spokeswoman for the DA’s office, said Wednesday that she was unable to comment. A message left at a phone number listed on tax forms for the foundation was not returned.