Ex-Blackfoot cop gets two days in jail for pills

Sentenced a former Blackfoot Police officer to two days in jail and two years of probation for stealing thousands of prescription painkillers from a drug drop box.

February 22, 2017

Magistrate Judge James Barrett on Wednesday sentenced a former Blackfoot Police officer to two days in jail and two years of probation for stealing thousands of prescription painkillers from a drug drop box.

Paul Hardwicke pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor counts of possession of a legend drug without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance were dismissed, pursuant to a plea agreement.

Barrett suspended 178 days of a 180-day jail sentence and placed Hardwicke on probation. Barrett ordered Hardwicke serve his two days during a consecutive 48-hour period. If Hardwicke is unsuccessful during probation Barrett could impose any portion of the remaining 178 days of the jail term.

Hardwicke was a school resource officer at Blackfoot High School prior to his termination. Court records show Hardwicke started the drug drop box program at the Police Department where people were encouraged to discard unused prescription medications. It was discovered May 28 that he had taken numerous prescription painkillers and mood stabilizers from the drop box.

Pocatello Police Department officials led the investigation into Hardwicke. Hardwicke was discovered with a backpack filled with several zip-closed baggies containing pills as well as pill bottles and daily pill counters. In all, 1,953 pills were found in the backpack.

The Bingham County Prosecutor's Office declared a conflict of interest in prosecuting the case and had the Bannock County Prosecutor's Office handle the case.

Bannock County assistant chief deputy prosecutor JaNiece Price said the state recommended the two-day jail term and two years of probation. Price said the state also recommended Hardwicke submit to a substance abuse evaluation and comply with any special terms of probation recommended by Hardwicke's probation officer.

Hardwicke's attorney, Justin Oleson, recommended a term of probation. Oleson argued Hardwicke had suffered enough punishment since he lost his job and the case had been very public.

Oleson spoke on Hardwicke's behalf during the investigation by Pocatello investigators. Oleson told the officers Hardwicke had taken the medications in the backpack to his office at the school because the drop box was overflowing. Hardwicke told the investigators he was not selling the pills to anyone.