COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Prosecuting Attorney Zach Stempien issued a statement Friday after a couple of Circuit Court cases were dismissed because the investigating officer from the Sheriff’s Department was found to be inactive.
Upon being notified of the potential issue, Stempien said he reached out to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards which handles the licensing for all police officers in the state to verify that Deputy Patrick Hann was “Inactive.”
Due to his inactive status, Hann had no authority as a police officer.
Stempien says a thorough review of all cases involving Hann was conducted. His office determined there were about 57 civil infractions, three felonies (which include two felony OWIs and a Fleeing and Eluding), three misdemeanor OWIs and 11 other traffic misdemeanors wherein Hann was the investigating officer.
The Prosecutors Office immediately contacted the Sheriff’s Department, all of the applicable defense attorneys, the Branch County Courts, the MCOLES director and the Michigan State Police.
All traffic tickets issued by Hann were required to be set aside and have since been reversed. In addition, all criminal matters in multiple felonies and misdemeanors had to be dismissed due to Hann’s inactive status as a police officer.
Stempien says his office has requested that the Michigan State Police conduct an independent investigation into this matter, “to promote transparency and to determine if any other action is needed to address this issue.”
He adds if you have any information regarding this issue, you should contact the Michigan State Police.
Gladd someone noticed. There were and maybe still are others