Former Williamsburg police officer arrested for doctor shopping

A former Williamsburg police sergeant was released from the Whitley County Detention Center on a $7,500 cash bond shortly before noon Tuesday following his arrest Monday afternoon on drug related charges.

A subsequent News Journal investigation Tuesday utilizing the Kentucky Open Records Act indicates that Brad Boyd resigned from the police department on Aug. 4 following a failed drug test 11 days earlier.

About 4:10 p.m. Monday, Kentucky State Police Trooper Mike Witt served Boyd, 45, with an arrest warrant charging him with prohibited acts relating to controlled substances.

The Whitley County warrant was obtained Monday by Stephen C. Johnson with Kentucky Office of Inspector General Drug Enforcement and Professional division, according to the arrest citation.

The warrant quotes state statute and states that no person shall obtain or attempt to obtain a prescription for a controlled substance by knowingly misrepresenting to or knowingly withholding information from a practitioner in violation of KRS 218A.140.

Beth Fisher, a spokesperson for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said Tuesday that because the case is still an open Office of Inspector General investigation the cabinet couldn’t comment on the matter at this time.

It is unclear whether Boyd is presently employed. A space for listing employment or occupation on Boyd’s arrest citation was left blank.

Court records indicate that Boyd plans to hire his own attorney rather than seek a public defender.
Boyd was employed by the Williamsburg Police Department from April 12, 1999, until his resignation on Aug. 4, 2009.

Positive drug test

According to a drug screen results letter that was obtained from the city through a Kentucky Open Records Act request Tuesday, city officials had Boyd drug tested due to "reasonable suspicion/cause" on July 24. The test results came back positive for opiates.

"Effective immediately, you are hereby suspended without pay pending further investigation for violations of departmental policy and procedure;" Mayor Roddy Harrison wrote in a memo to Boyd informing him of the suspension that was also dated July 24.

The memo goes on to quote city policy stating that "while on duty, employees shall remain alert and awake, unencumbered by alcoholic beverages, prescription drugs, illegal narcotics or conflicts arising from off-duty employment."

Boyd tendered his letter of resignation on Aug. 4, and Harrison issued an executive order accepting it on that same date, according to records obtained through the open records request.

Earlier suspension

The July incident wasn’t the first time that Boyd had been suspended from the department.

On May 6, 2008, Harrison suspended Boyd without pay for four days, according to city disciplinary records.
The reason for the suspension stemmed from incidents on May 1 and May 2, 2008, according to a memo attached to the official reprimand.

"On May 1, 2008, you engaged in activities unbecoming an officer when you became intoxicated at an establishment in Corbin, Kentucky. The conduct took place at a time in which you had requested leave for illness. Your behavior was erratic and inappropriate in any venue," the memo stated.

"On May 2, 2008, you engaged in activities unbecoming an officer numerous times throughout the day while supposedly on sick leave. You were seen extremely intoxicated at an establishment located in Corbin, Kentucky and were acting inappropriately."

On Boyd’s disciplinary reprimand in regards to the suspension, Harrison only stated, "conduct unbecoming an officer."
Between the two suspensions, Boyd was promoted within the department to the rank of sergeant on Nov. 19, 2008.
In addition to other duties in his capacity as sergeant, Boyd served as domestic violence officer and was in charge of serving emergency protective orders and domestic violence orders across the county. The position is partially paid for through a grant.