Former Shawnee Police Officer Arrested On Drug Complaints

A former Shawnee Police officer was arrested on drug complaints.

Related Article: https://www.news9.com/story/654e1999cc82b0066e354a28/shawnee-police-officer-arrested-following-investigation-spd-says

The arrest happened last week, but new information revealed that this was an undercover operation and the investigation is still underway. 

Former Shawnee police officer Gary Moore was arrested at the Brickhouse Saloon in Shawnee, where he was caught allegedly selling drugs. The undersheriff says he was caught during a week’s long undercover operation. 

"We got some information and started an investigation into Gary Moore," Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Dinwiddie said. "We’d been conducting this investigation for several weeks. It led to us doing some undercover work." 

Dinwiddie says Moore was arrested for possession and intent to distribute cocaine and Moore's wife was arrested with him on the same complaint. As far as what tipped off law enforcement to Moore's criminal activity, Dinwiddie couldn’t say, "Really can't speak on that right now,” he said. "We're still investigating the incident." 

The Shawnee Police Department released a statement saying in part 'Moore has been terminated from his employment' with the department. Shawnee PD pointed to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office for comment on the investigation. 

"We had the DA's task force office helping us," Dinwiddie said. "The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office they lent us a hand." 

Dinwiddie says this is something they take seriously. "It only takes one bad seed to shed a lot of negative light on all of us in law enforcement," he said. 

Shawnee PD echoed his sentiments-- saying in their statement.

Their full statement on the situation said: 

"The Shawnee Police Department has been working closely with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate allegations of criminal activity of an officer. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Officer Gary Moore. Moore was booked into the Pottawatomie County Safety Center. Moore has been terminated from his employment with the Shawnee Police Department. The Shawnee Police Department requires officers to abide by a high ethical and moral standard that is consistent with the rule of law they are sworn to uphold.” 

Dinwiddie stated that this investigation is still ongoing.