ROCKFORD, Mich. — More details about the former Rockford police officer charged with making a false police report have been released.
FOX 17 obtained that report through a "freedom of information act" (FOIA) request, and in it, Aaron Sawyer claims his patrol SUV was hit at the intersection of Scribner and Leonard in Grand Rapids.
Sawyer reported the crash happened on Dec. 9 at 6:30 a.m. In the documents, Sawyer claims he had the green light that morning when a dark pickup truck ran a red light right by the Mercantile Bank near there and hit him.
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But after reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses GRPD ruled: "The camera footage refutes Sawyer's report of a crash at this location and time. The damage to the Ford Explorer clearly occurred elsewhere."
It was after that alleged crash that Aaron Sawyer met with a Grand Rapids police officer at the Speedway gas station located on Leonard to complete a report.
Sawyer is charged there in connection with a hit and run that happened the same day as the alleged false report.
Investigators say this one took place just after midnight on Dec. 9 at the intersection of Baldwin and 28th avenues in Georgetown Township.
No one was hurt but damage to the SUV cost $22,651.78.
Chief of Police for the Rockford Department of Public Safety Dave Robinson reports that Sawyer was indefinitely placed on administrative leave on Dec. 9, 2021.
On Dec. 17, 2021, Sawyer submitted his resignation, which took effect Dec. 26, 2021, and he is facing a misdemeanor charge for failing to stop at the scene.
As for the false report in Grand Rapids, Sawyer waived his arraignment hearing and entered a plea of not guilty.
