The Mobile Police Department has announced the arrest of a former officer who retired earlier this year in the middle of an internal investigation into alleged forgery and theft.
According to the MPD, 26-year veteran Sgt. Michael Barber retired from the department on May 10 in the middle of an administrative investigation.
Michael David Barber, a former Mobile Police Officer, was arrested on Aug. 28 on charges of theft and forgery. (MCSO)
While the MPD had no ability to prevent Barber from retiring, the investigation continued.
Upon completion, the findings were turned over to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office and as a result, Barber was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of theft of property first degree and 45 counts of second-degree forgery.
It’s unclear at this point whether or not he was formally indicted, as charging documents are currently accessible in the state court system.
While few details about Barber’s alleged crimes have been released, MPD Chief of Police Lawrence Battiste said Barber’s actions were his own.
“We regret that Sergeant Barber’s own actions resulted in criminal charges being brought against him, and it saddens us that his actions have caused a betrayal of trust to the badge and to the public,” Battiste said. “But this shows our resolve to hold everyone accountable for their actions as long as they wear the badge and uniform of a Mobile Police Department officer.”
Updated at 8:52 a.m., Aug. 29, to update the total number of forgery charges filed against Barber based on new information received by the Mobile Police Department.
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