Officer Education Program Investigated For Gun Sales Allegedly Using Tax Money

Montgomery County officials said Tuesday that they would conduct a full investigation of a continuing-education program for law enforcement officers that allowed participants to purchase firearms at steep discounts that might have been subsidized with taxpayer money.

"We're going to take this investigation wherever it leads us," said Patrick Lacefield, a spokesman for County Executive Isiah Leggett (D).

In the past three fiscal years, 330 county public safety officers enrolled in classes taught by Applied Sciences for Public Safety. They did so under a county program that pays for continuing-education expenses, Lacefield said.

At issue are rules against using the county money for expenses beyond tuition. Lacefield said the investigation, led by County Attorney Leon Rodriguez, will examine whether the company used the money to subsidize guns offered for sale and whether law enforcement officers went to the classes for legitimate educational reasons or simply to buy guns.

"There are a number of questions here," Lacefield said.

Representatives from Applied Sciences did not return telephone and e-mails messages Tuesday.

Lacefield said about 275 of the 330 who signed up were Montgomery police officers.

Lucille Baur, a spokeswoman for the police department, referred questions to Lacefield because the inquiry includes other agencies. Sheriff's deputies, corrections officers and others attended the classes.

It is unclear how many officers might have purchased weapons.

Questions about the classes emerged last week when about 14 deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office were preparing to take a class related to deadly force, said Montgomery Sheriff Raymond M. Kight (D). At the course, they would have been given the opportunity to buy a rifle valued at $1,000 to $1,200 for $400.

"We found out that these guys who were going were going to buy guns," Kight said. "We stopped it."

Kight said he met last week with officials with Montgomery's police, fire, corrections and human resources departments.

Lacefield said 109 employees had signed up since July 31. The county has halted work with the company.