Westminster Police Accused Of Misspending Money

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- The Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police is accusing the Westminster police department of misspending money it seized from drug suspects.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the officers claim the department used the money to buy iPhones and iPads for top commanders. The union, through a Baltimore law firm it hired, also alleges that department leaders have pressured some officers to work extra shifts at Walmart, sometimes instead of patrolling streets.

Westminster's mayor and police chief denied that officers were required to work on overtime at Walmart and declined to comment on others.

A labor negotiator for the law firm says he is not alleging that the spending is illegal, just inappropriate. Federal guidelines allow money from asset forfeiture programs to be spent on computers and communications equipment.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)