STERLING HEIGHTS, MI (WXYZ) - Twenty-one Sterling Heights Police Command Officers are being punished for not accurately reporting the time they spent at work over a three month period.
One high-ranking police command officer is reportedly at the center of the case because city officials say he was so bitter over shortened hours for command staff that he encouraged some sergeants and lieutenants to pad their time.
He has since resigned.
The sergeants involved in the timecard misconduct are being punished with ten-day suspensions.
The lieutenants involved have received 30 day suspensions.
Mayor Richard Notte says the suspensions will not affect police protection because they are being staggered and much of the lost pay for the command officers in question is coming out of their vacation time.
Sterling Heights Police Chief Michael Reese says the situation only involved one of the three divisions in the Police Department. He also says services to the community were not affected.