CLINTON –– A former Clinton police officer who pleaded guilty to stealing weapons from an evidence vault was sentenced to 30 months probation Thursday for what was termed by the judge as a betrayal of public trust.

Jerry Bristow told Judge Garry Bryan during a sentencing hearing on theft and official misconduct charges that financial stress and mental health conditions contributed significantly to his decision to take guns from the police department storage and sell them at a Bloomington pawn shop.

In addition to probation, Bristow was sentenced to 200 hours of community service; ordered to pay $1,521 restitution; and complete mental health treatment. A term of 180 days in jail was stayed pending a Dec. 4 review hearing.

The sentence will provide Bristow with the means to make-up for "the betrayal of his service and the betrayal of his obligation to the community as a role model," said Bryan.

The 55-year-old former school resource officer logged more than 27 years with the police agency before he resigned on Jan. 1, several weeks before the weapons were reported missing by fellow officers.

"I felt I could no longer wear the uniform and do the job," Bristow said of his resignation. He said he felt mentally and physically ill at the time. He was charged in late January with taking two pistols and a shotgun.

The judge rejected a recommendation from Assistant State's Attorney Darrell Price for 90 days in jail to be served periodically to allow Bristow to maintain his job with a landscaping company.

"He's not just a common thief. He stole not only guns but the trust, confidence and good reputation of the people of this community and that cries out for correction," said Price.

Defense lawyer Kevin Hammer argued that pending administrative charges against a current Clinton police officer accused of viewing pornography while at work and theft charges against a former circuit clerk's employee have created "a mob mentality that cries out for retribution."

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_0ac79f7e-a3b9-11de-947a-001cc4c002e0.html

30 months.  

Probation?  

I wouldn't want my guns to be stolen.  They should make gun theft more illegaler.

 _________________________________________________________

That sentence was a bit light. However, I blame the Judge, he is the one that is at fault.

Just the shame alone is enough for a Police Officer...

 

Really?



"several weeks before the weapons were reported missing by fellow officers.
"



Duh.



 

Isolated Incident.

Release all the pot smokers to make room for the theives in the jails, thieves with badges should get "extra special treatment".

Uhhh, no it's not. He is a thief, he stole weapons [probably stole more stuff but they couldn't prove it] he might have screwed up some cases, he sold them on [at least it was to a pawn shop and not some gang banger], who knows what he did on the street using his badge.

Nope, he should have done some time behind bars. Yeah he'd be in solitary but he should have thought of that when he stole them.

I am sure it was the first time in 27 years it had ever happened.






 

Wow they did inventory and something was missing, the bartender I work with does that, because if he doesn't fingers start getting pointed at him.  

So judges are now behind the thin blue line too?  Looks like the sentence would have been 180 days and may become so depending on case review.