Aurora officer accused of faking overtime work

A veteran Aurora police officer is charged with theft and facing termination after department officials accused her of faking extra work to get overtime compensation.

Kimberly R. Hanson, 43, of Plano, has been on administrative leave since Oct. 3. She was charged with theft earlier this month and a warrant was issued Nov. 3. She turned herself into the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Nov. 8 and posted a $100 bail, according to Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli.

Investigators said Hanson called into dispatch at 10:23 p.m. Sept. 29 to inform supervisors that she was assisting a motorist at Route 59 and Liberty Street on Aurora's far east side. She told dispatchers she was going to stay with the motorist until a tow truck arrived. By the time she made it back to the station, her shift had been over for nearly an hour, making her eligible for overtime pay at time and a half.

Ferrelli said Hanson used that additional time and combined it with other accrued time off to take the following work day off.

Investigators learned of Hanson's ruse when supervisors reviewed footage from her in-squad video system, authorities said. Instead of helping a motorist, the video shows Hanson parked at the Metra train station on Route 59, according to police. The video then shows Hanson driving around the train station parking lot for several minutes, then parking near a retail center parking lot for several more minutes before driving back to police headquarters.

Ferrelli said Hanson's overtime costs were equivalent to $71.14. It's unclear if her missed shift was covered at additional cost to the city.

In addition to the theft charges, Hanson is facing a disciplinary hearing that could result in termination, Ferrelli said.

Hanson was hired by the department in 1996 and served most of her time in patrol. She was assigned as a juvenile officer for six months and spent another 17 months as an investigator with the Kane County Child Advocacy Center.

"Anytime a police officer is charged with a crime, it tarnishes the badge of every police officer," Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said. "This charge is the result of an investigation that was generated internally, was very time-consuming, impeccable, and illustrates the highest standards to which Aurora police officers are held. Any deviation from those standards will not be tolerated."