A Peoria Police Department sergeant has been indicted on charges related to misuse of funds from a police organization.
Sgt. Jon Meck reportedly served as the treasurer for the Arizona Tactical Officers Association from 2009 to 2018. According to the Arizona Attorney General's office, ATOA is a "nonprofit organization comprised of members from police agencies throughout the State of Arizona and designed to provide those members with tactical training."
The ATOA says Meck resigned from his position on the board at the end of July 2018. That’s when they started looking into finances, noticing “discrepancies and unauthorized use of association funds,” a letter from the Executive Board of the group said.
Group members were notified of the incident in that letter, dated September 2018.
The Arizona Attorney General’s office launched an investigation into the case in August. They initially couldn't comment on the investigation.
Meck, who has 14 years of service with Peoria police, was officially indicted on Tuesday, according to the AG. He has been charged with one count of fraud and four counts of theft.
"An investigation revealed that beginning in February 2012, Meck allegedly used the organization’s account to make personal purchases not authorized by the ATOA board," the AG's office says.
The indictment claims Meck misused $25,000 or more of ATOA services or property and up to $4,000 of services or property belonging to the Peoria Police Department.
“You’re looking at a career ending and potentially prison time. Those are really serious and I think that he’s in a world of hot water right now," said Sean Mattson, VP of the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police. "It overshadows all the good work that’s being done, day in and day out by other cops on the street. It’s probably gonna take a ding to the public trust.”
In a statement, a police department spokesperson said Meck had been placed on administrative leave since August 3, 2018, when the department was first notified of allegations against him.
Meck's formal indictment on Tuesday has triggered an internal investigation, according to Sgt. Brandon Sheffert, and he will remain on leave until it is completed.
“If you do anything to violate your integrity, you’ll have your certification revoked, and you can’t be a cop, said Mattson.
