By Jonathan Burgos –
Monday, August 1, 2022 Colby E. Turner, 33 of Worcester, Massachusetts was arrested at Worcester, MA. Police Department.
Turner, a Worcester Police Officer for 5 years, has been charged with 5 counts of larceny over $1,200 by single scheme and false claims by law enforcement officer on hours worked.
Allegedly, officer Turner submitted fictitious off duty assignment slips between January 2022 and July 2022. Officer Turner allegedly submitted these slips for five businesses in the City of Worcester that he allegedly never worked.
Officer Turner allegedly submitted 18 off duty assignment slips for Leominster Credit Union; 17 off duty assignment slips for the Palladium Theater; 52 off duty assignment slips for Walmart; 18 off duty assignment slips for South Middlesex Opportunity Council; and 45 off duty assignment slips for Price Chopper on Cambridge Street.
The total amount paid to Officer Turner for the alleged fictitious off duty assignments was $40,023.34. Officer Turner picked up all of his off duty assignment checks in person and cashed each check.
Detectives assigned to the Worcester Police Department Detective Bureau, conducted a focused and thorough investigation after becoming aware of officer Turner’s alleged criminal activity.
During their investigation, Detectives collected all of Officer Turner’s detail slips. They were able to match the fictitious detail slips with previous slips turned in by Officer Turner, and they were able to determine that it was Officer Turner’s signature on the fictitious detail slips.
Also, Detectives spoke with other officers who were actually working the details. These officers said that Officer Turner was not assigned and did not work the assignments. Detectives also talked with individuals at the businesses who would be the authorized person to sign Officer Turner’s detail slips, and they told Detectives that Officer Turner did not work the detail nor was he present when he said that he worked those details.
Additionally, the Latent Print Unit was able to lift Officer Turner’s prints off 5 of the alleged fictitious detail slips.
Officer Turner made his initial appearance in Worcester District Court on Tuesday. He was released with conditions, and he is due back in court at a later date.
Because Officer Turner Works with the Worcester Police Department, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office will conflict out and refer this case to another county District Attorney’s office in the Commonwealth.
The charges against Officer Turner are merely allegations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
NewsTalk New England 