Police Officer Admits Corruption

Ex-Benton Harbor police officer admits corruption
The Associated Press - September 9, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A former Benton Harbor police officer has admitted falsifying search-warrant affidavits, embezzling police funds and illegally seizing suspects' money and property. Bernard Hall Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids to conspiracy to violate civil rights, which carries up to 10 years in federal prison. The former head of the Benton Harbor Police Department's narcotics unit admitted in a plea agreement that he and another officer engaged in "a pervasive pattern of police corruption." Andrew Collins already has been sentenced to 37 months in prison. WSBT-TV reports some drug cases handled by the officers have been dismissed.