Aurora police officer charged with theft

An Aurora police officer was charged with theft Wednesday for fabricating a call so she could extend her shift and collect overtime pay.

About 10:20 p.m. Sept. 29, Officer Kimberly R. Hanson radioed that was she helping a motorist at Route 59 and Liberty Street, according to a statement from Aurora police. Hanson said she was going to remain with the motorist until a tow truck arrived.

Once Hanson made it back to police headquarters, her regular eight-hour shift was extended by an hour, making her eligible for overtime pay, police said.

The fabricated call was revealed when supervisors reviewed footage from Hanson’s in-squad car video system, police said. The video revealed the license plate that Hanson said she was assisting was an unoccupied and parked vehicle near the Rt. 59 Transportation Center.

The video also shows Hanson driving around the Transportation Center parking lot and the surrounding area before returning and parking at the police headquarters for an extended period of time, police said. Once her shift ended Hanson followed overtime pay procedures and combined it with additional time she saved to take the following day off.

The total amount of money lost was $71.14, police said. She faces one misdemeanor count of theft.

Since Oct. 3, Hanson, 43, of Plano, has been on administrative leave without pay as the investigation continues, police said. On Nov. 3, a warrant for her arrest was issued and she turned herself in at the DeKalb County sheriff’s department on Nov. 8.

Hanson posted a $100 bail and her next court date is pending, police said. She could be terminated from the department.

“Anytime a police officer is charged with a crime, it tarnishes the badge of every police officer and that is unwarranted and unfair to the vast majority of officers who serve honorably every day,” Aurora Chief of Police Kristen Ziman said in the statement.

“This charge is the result of an investigation that was generated internally, was very time-consuming, impeccable, and illustrates the highest standards to which Aurora Police Officers are held. Any deviation from those standards will not be tolerated,” Ziman said.