Norwich police officer on leave following charges in Waterford: What we know

A Norwich police officer is on paid administrative leave following an incident in Waterford.

On July 9, the Waterford Police Department responded to Walmart, 155 Waterford Parkway North, Waterford for the report of a larceny. Waterford Police Dispatch stated that Walmart Asset Protection had a woman detained for not scanning items at the self-checkout that day.

An asset protection investigator told Waterford Police he had seen Megan Crawford, 24, of Ledyard fail to scan items in her shopping carriage. There were food items concealed inside the reusable bags inside the carriage.

The asset protection investigator witnessed Crawford fail to scan several items around the reusable bags. She paid for some items but failed to pay for 18 items, which totaled $115.22.

Repeat Offender

The asset protection investigator told Waterford Police he ran Crawford’s payment card through their system and on June 14, he observed another incident where Crawford was at the self-checkout and failed to pay for some items. He was unsure of the amount taken.

Crawford was charged with larceny in the sixth degree. She will be arraigned in New London Superior Court on July 23 at 10 a.m. Larceny in the sixth degree is for theft of items with a monetary value of $500 or less.

Crawford’s role in the Norwich Police Department

Crawford is a Norwich police officer assigned to the patrol division. She has been a Norwich police officer for approximately three years.

The Norwich Police Department said in a statement that Crawford is on administrative leave due to the Waterford incident and pending the outcome of an internal investigation into the arrest.

Crawford was given the Norwich Police Department’s Exceptional Service Award at a Norwich City Council meeting in May.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich police officer on leave following charges in Waterford: What we know