Metro detective censured for using police debit card

Cathy Scott

Monday, April 13, 1998 | 9:55 a.m.

A 15-year veteran Metro Police intelligence detective has been charged with violating department rules after an investigation found that he misused a department-issued debit card for his personal use, police said.

Detective John Hillenbrand, 39, was charged last week with the violations and was being transferred from the intelligence bureau to patrol, Lt. Rick Alba said.

Alba declined to comment on why former Officer William House, 29, was criminally charged last month for committing the same infraction while Hillenbrand was not.

"I can't release the details of the (Hillenbrand) investigation," he said.

Alba also said he would not release what discipline Hillenbrand received.

"He is being disciplined," he said. "I'm not going to release that information either. It's internal. The disposition of the investigation is sustained."

However, a well-placed official who asked not to be named, confirmed that House was accused of using a department gasoline credit card for his personal use.

Officer House, who had been with Metro for three years, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, resigned from Metro, and agreed to repay $367 in gasoline charges as part of a plea bargain. He was originally charged with felony theft over the misuse of the department gasoline credit card.

House was placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation was underway. Hillenbrand, on the other hand, remained on the job during the investigation.

Hillenbrand was found to have violated procedures for "conduct unbecoming" and "truthfulness required" for an officer, Alba said.

Unlike House's case, Hillenbrand's case was not forwarded to the district attorney's office for possible prosecution, sources said.