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Deputy fired after arrest by city police

Staff writer

A Marion County sheriff’s deputy was fired nine hours after being arrested on suspicion of domestic battery and could lose his license as a law enforcement officer.

McPherson County undersheriff Skyler Christians said Bronson L. Shipman, 34, was booked into the jail at 3:33 a.m. Thursday. He was released seven hours later on $1,500 bond.

County attorney Joel Ensey said Thursday he was awaiting a report on the incident that led to Shipman’s arrest, but had already arranged for Morris County attorney Laura Allen to file any appropriate charges and prosecute the case if charges are filed.

Ensey said the matter is a conflict of interest for him.

Ensey did say that if Shipman is convicted of domestic battery, it would be difficult for him to continue a career in law enforcement because Kansas law forbids people convicted of domestic violence from owning a handgun.

Sheriff Rob Craft said the six-year department veteran could lose his law enforcement certification based on the charge alone even if there is no conviction.

Marion police chief Clinton Jeffrey said officer Aaron Slater was dispatched to Shipman’s residence in the 300 block of S. Thorp St. at 12:50 a.m. Thursday after a report of a domestic disturbance.

Slater talked to both Shipman and his wife. He saw red marks on the wife’s arm, concluded Shipman had made physical contact with her during an argument, and arrested Shipman on suspicion of domestic battery.

Jeffrey said Shipman was taken to the Marion County jail, and from there, a deputy took him to the McPherson County jail.

Craft said he went to the scene during the investigation Thursday morning and talked to Shipman’s wife.

“I was there talking to her, and the police department did what they had to do,” Craft said. “I have no qualms about what took place. They did exactly what they had to do.”

Craft said he is looking into improper behavior that may have occurred between Shipman and a coworker that triggered the incident.

“That is ongoing at this time,” Craft said. “There are repercussions for others that will be put into place, but as a personnel issue I can’t go into those.”

Shipman was fired Thursday afternoon after he bonded out, Craft said.

“I’m fairly frustrated at what took place that night,” he said. “Those actions are not tolerated or accepted in this position.”

Craft said he is filling out paperwork to send a report on the incident and arrest to Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the agency that certifies law enforcement officers.

“If he is convicted, he will be decertified,” Craft said. “The charge itself can bring about that, and it will be up to CPOST for them to make a decision.”

According to a CPOST staff member, Shipman will be investigated by the agency after the court process concludes, no matter how the case comes out.

Information will be gathered and presented to a three-member commission for a decision.

“How long it takes is case specific,” she said. “It really depends on how it shakes out in criminal court. That will dictate how much investigation CPOST has to do.”

Either a conviction or a diversion will mean Shipman will lose his law enforcement certification.

“If the charge is dismissed or there is an acquittal, it will still be reviewed,” she said.

Last modified Nov. 27, 2019

 

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