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TOLEDO, Ohio — Jeremy Berndt, who entered an Alford plea earlier this month, has been officially fired by the Toledo Police Department. This comes six months after he was charged and accused of purchasing marijuana while on duty.
Toledo police confirmed to WTOL 11 Tuesday that Berndt's employment with TPD was terminated on June 13. On June 3, he entered an Alford plea to a charge of attempting to commit an offense. Berndt was initially charged with dereliction of duty in January.
Authorities said the purchase occurred while Berndt was wearing his department-issued police uniform and firearm, and arrived and left in his department-issued and marked police vehicle.
Following the Alford plea, a judge found Berndt guilty. He is due back in court on June 25 for sentencing.
An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt. A defendant entering an Alford plea agrees to be found guilty without admitting they committed the crime. The defendant acknowledges there is enough evidence against them to be convicted. It is often entered to avoid a greater penalty and is treated as a guilty plea.
Berndt had been with the Toledo Police Department for 21 years, TPD said. Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle provided the following statement:
“It is an understatement to say that I was disappointed when I was informed that one of our officers was being investigated for criminal conduct. The community places great trust in the over 600 sworn officers of the Toledo Police Department to abide by and uphold the law. When an officer breaches that trust, they must be held accountable. We hold our officers to a high standard of personal and professional conduct, and that will always be the case under my administration.”
Sail and grow
Deep inside
The brave align
Green we stay
-Boss Keloid Lung Valley