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Officer accused of criminal trespass By Chris Strunk Last Updated: June 30, 2016 Det. Jay Grayson, a Valley Center Police Department veteran, was suspended with pay this week after he was arrested in Wichita over the weekend on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass. Grayson, who has worked for Valley Center since July 2007, declined to comment. Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said officers were called to a disturbance at a home in the 12400 block of West Cornelison in the early morning hours of June 25. The person who called police, a 49-year-old man at the residence, told authorities that Grayson was in a verbal argument with an ex-girlfriend, who also was at the residence. Woodrow said Grayson allegedly entered the property without permission. Woodrow said there was no physical altercation. Grayson, who lives in Valley Center, drove away from the residence, which is in northwest Wichita, before police arrived but was stopped and arrested a short time later. He has since been released from jail. Valley Center Police Chief Mark Hephner said Grayson's suspension will run until the criminal case against him is resolved. He said the incident will then be the subject of an internal investigation to determine Grayson's employment status with the city — whether he is suspended or terminated. "If it's a domestic violence case, that puts it into a whole different realm," Hephner said. "You can't be a police officer if you have a domestic violence conviction. But as you know, cases get changed. They can be amended or dropped. There are a lot of different possibilities. But no matter what happens, we'll still have our internal investigation." Grayson, who started as a patrol officer, was promoted to detective about five years ago. He was instrumental in solving a number of high-profile cases in Valley Center and was honored publicly for his work in the community. In May 2015, he was named the American Legion Kansas Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, recognizing his "outstanding selfless service over and above normal duties through community service and professional achievement." Grayson was an officer with the Wichita State University Police Department for 13 years before coming to Valley Center. "When we have these cases, we take them seriously," Hephner said. "… If they've committed some kind of crime or violation, they're held accountable. Police officers are human, too, but everyone has to be held accountable. I don't prejudge. We'll see what comes up and take appropriate action, if it's needed." |
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