LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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Officer charged with filing false report resigns

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A Louisville Metro Police officer resigned this week after being charged with filing a false report and official misconduct.

The misdemeanor charges against John B. Schaffer, 33, stem from an investigation by the police department's public integrity unit, which investigates officers who have potentially violated the law, said Maj. Tim Emington, who oversees the unit.

Schaffer wouldn't comment Thursday.

John Schaffer is a good person who has made a mistake, and he's acknowledged it by his resignation, his attorney, Steve Schroering said.

According to the citation, Schaffer completed a police report in January 2003, listing himself as a victim of identity theft. He signed another officer's name and turned it in. Because of that investigation, a case was also opened against Schaffer by the professional standards unit, which investigates potential department policy violations. That investigation will now be closed because of Schaffer's resignation, Emington said.

Schaffer's police powers were suspended during the investigation, Emington said.

Schaffer's personnel records showed no discipline issues while he was with the department. His file contained six commendations praising him for work while on patrol.

He became a recruit in January 2001 and was sworn in as an officer that June. He had most recently been assigned to the city's 6th Division, which includes Newburg and the airport.