Michigan City/LaPorte County: Yesterday, Tuesday July 28, in the evening hours the Indiana State Police arrested a Michigan City Police Officer. The officer was charged with two counts of Official Misconduct and Possession of Legend Drug Without a Prescription.
Preliminary investigation revealed that on July 28, Michigan City Police Department Chief Mark Swistek learned of possible misconduct by one of their officers and immediately contacted the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division.
As a result of the investigation, Officer Robert J. Grant, age 37, a 12 year member of the Michigan City Police Department and assigned to FAST (Fugitive Apprehension Street Team) was arrested and charged with two counts of Official Misconduct a Level 6 Felony and Possession of Legend Drug Without a Prescription a Level 6 Felony. FAST is composed of detectives and deputies of the Michigan City Police Department, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s department and the U.S. Marshall Service. Grant was arrested last evening at the Michigan City Police Department without incident and transported to the LaPorte County Jail by the Indiana State Police. He was later released on $755 cash bond which is standard bond for a level 6 felonies.
Grant has been placed on administrative suspension which is 5 days without pay. This is the maximum allowed by Michigan City Department Policy. Grant is currently under internal investigation and Chief Swistek has requested a hearing before their commission within 72 hours recommending termination. Grant is set for a court hearing today at 1:00 p.m. in Superior Court 4 in Michigan City.
Chief Swistek stated “As Chief of the Michigan City Police Department I am extremely sadden and disappointed by the fact that a member of our law enforcement agency would act in a manner that has damaged the public trust and integrity of this department that we have all worked so hard for each and every day. Law Enforcement Officers are held to a much higher standard than any other profession and those who choose to violate the laws that we are sworn to uphold shall be held accountable for their actions. Therefore, we requested the assistance of the Indiana State Police to investigate Officer Robert Grant for his actions. All of us need to reflect on the public trust that is bestowed upon us as professional law enforcement officers as we continue to serve this community and department.”
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Fifield/Wojas
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
