Marin DA charges Tiburon sergeant
A Tiburon police sergeant was charged with domestic abuse Thursday after a three-month investigation by Novato police and county prosecutors.
Shane Michael Ford, 50, is scheduled to be arraigned May 19 on two counts, spousal battery and inflicting “unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child,” according to the prosecution complaint. Both charges are misdemeanors.
District Attorney Lori Frugoli said the maximum penalty for the charges two years in jail.
The case started on Jan. 27 when Novato police were called to a disturbance at Ford’s home in the Pleasant Valley area. Officers concluded the victims had been grabbed but not injured, according to the police department.
Police booked Ford into the county jail. He was released on bail pending a review by prosecutors.
The Tiburon Police Department placed Ford on leave after his arrest and commissioned an administrative investigation. The department’s new police chief,
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Ryan Monaghan, said the investigation has been completed.
“I have faith in the Marin County District Attorney’s Office and the judicial system that justice will be served in this matter,” he said. “While we respect Ford’s right to due process under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, we as a department are deeply troubled by the charges as set forth in the criminal complaint.”
“This alleged conduct is not reflective of the core values of the Tiburon Police Department, its members, nor our profession,” he said. “I want to assure our community members that the Tiburon Police Department remains committed to maintaining and building upon your support and trust in us, and I will not tolerate any behavior that is contrary to that. I am currently working with our town administration to take firm and swift action now that the investigation into the conduct has been concluded.”
Monaghan declined to release additional details.
Ford could not be reached for comment Thursday. He has worked at the police department since 2003.