Date of Offense
Offense(s)
Official Statement
Terminated: No
Demoted: No
Suspended: Yes
Other Sanction:
Resigned, retired, transferred, or separated while case was pending: No
# of Days Suspended: 20
Sustained Charge: Neglect of Duty / Performance of Duty / Temporary Detention Violation
Description: On Sunday March 5, 2023 Sgt. Tracy handled a report of a shoplifting in the Audubon Crossings Shopping Center. The suspect was located and placed under arrest then subsequently transported to Audubon Police Headquarters for processing. Prior to reaching police headquartes the suspect requested an ambulance for both physical and mental medical assistance. A short time after arrived at police headquarters the suspect attempted to flee through a processing room door which was left unsecured by Sgt. Tracy. This initial attempt was prevented by Sgt. Tracy. Moments later Ptlm. Knecht as well as MEPRI EMS arrived at police headquarters in order to assess the suspect. In the presence of EMS the suspect became increasingly erratic so a decision was made to transport the suspect to an area crisis center. Approximately 11 minutes after initially arriving at police headquarters the suspect was escorted out of the processing room towards a waiting ambulance. Once the suspect exited the sally port area he was observed on surveillence video running away from Sgt. Tracy and EMS personnel. Video also shows Sgt. Tracy failing to make any attempt whatsoever to resecure the suspect in order to have him treated medically and complete criminal processing. The suspect subsquently ran into a neighboring jurisdiction and stole a motor vehiclee which he then used to travel to Cumberland County. The suspect then was reportedly involved in a hit and run MVA (no injuries) as well as several additional criminal and motor vehicle violations. Further investigation revealed that Sgt. Tracy failed to positively identify the suspect before allowing him to flee from from his custody. Sgt. Tracy received a 20 day suspension.
