Meeting notes show inconsistencies from Fayette Police Department on evidence disposal policy

FAYETTE, Mo. (KMIZ)

A sunshine request made by ABC 17 News details inconsistencies in prior claims made by the Fayette Police Department.

Dec. 26 meeting notes from the city's Board of Alderman meeting describes Alderwoman Bekki Galloway questioning the city's Police Chief David Ford about the department's previous policy for disposing of evidence.

The document states Galloway asked the chief if a previous policy for drug and evidence disposal existed prior to police evidence being found in a dumpster outside a grocery store. The document states Ford replied that no written policy existed.

This comes after Ford wrote a press release last month stating the department revised its old policy. The old policy required drugs to be removed from evidence bags, put in the dumpster and sprayed with liquid.

ABC 17 News reached out to Ford for comment.

Ford told ABC 17 News on Dec. 21  that an investigation showed the disposal followed department protocol. However, that protocol was insufficient and has been changed. He said the new policy specifies that certain types of evidence should be put in a landfill and that marijuana be incinerated.

The release also stated that the city was planning to look into personnel issues related to the incident. Ford stated Mayor Jeremy Dawson reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to review the incident. However, MSHP Lt. Eric Brown told ABC 17 News on Tuesday night that the department had not received a request from the city.

The board met for the first time since that meeting on Tuesday where the incident was not mentioned.

ABC 17 News requested a copy of the city's previous policy for disposing of evidence.