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Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesPolice Sergeant Arrested, Charged with Fraud

Police Sergeant Arrested, Charged with Fraud

Mervin Ford, a 29-year veteran of the V.I. Police Department, was arrested Friday by Insular Investigation Bureau detectives on St. Thomas and charged with fraudulent claims upon the government and obtaining money by false pretenses.

Detectives said the 51- year-old Ford, who is also employed as a University of the Virgin Islands professor, submitted VIPD times sheets and overtime for the same hours he worked at the university, fraudulently receiving paychecks from both UVI and VIPD of approximately $8,497.

Ford was arrested at about 8 a.m. based on a warrant signed by Virgin Islands Superior Court Magistrate Alan Smith. He was placed on a $10,000 bail. Following his advice of rights hearing Friday morning, Ford was released on an unsecured bond pending further court action.

According to the affidavit, detectives said Ford signed in for his tours of duty at the VIPD and reported hours worked, including overtime, at the same times he was scheduled to teach classes at the university as a criminal justice instructor. The investigation also showed Ford was issued and received payroll checks for the same hours based on his employment contract with UVI and as reported to the VIPD, police said, during the period of August 18, 2008, through May 14, 2011.

VIPD protocol prohibits any member of the department from engaging in outside employment if the work is to be performed while the officer or employee is on duty.

Assistant Police Commissioner Raymond L. Hyndman expressed disappointment and frustration at the arrest of the veteran police officer.

“It is a sad day when the VIPD has to arrest one of their own," Hyndman said. "A police department should be an icon of trust for the community, and whoever tarnishes that trust will be eradicated from the department.”

The assistant commissioner asked the community to recognize that this arrest does not imply that all police officers are operating outside the law.

“I know that most police officers hold the values and ethics of law enforcement in high esteem and would do nothing to destroy the community trust.”

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