Former Kansas police officer loses license after giving donated gift cards to his friends
A former Kansas police officer was stripped of his law enforcement certification after giving away donated gift cards to several of his friends.
Anthony Reyes was employed by the Tonganoxie Police Department from March 14, 2021 to Jan. 22, 2024, according to a Summary Order of Revocation from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.
Reyes could not be reached for comment about what happened. The summary order gave this account:
A radio station donated gift cards to the Tonganoxie Police Department in December 2023 for a holiday initiative. When officers gave warnings for traffic infractions, they could also give the driver a gift card.
The initiative was voluntary and officers were required to record the encounter on their body camera for auditing and accounting purposes. Reyes initially declined to participate, but later asked for several gift cards.
The department reviewed footage of a gift card giveaway Reyes had done on Dec. 2, 2023. Reyes had given a gift card and a warning to a woman who worked at a convenience store that he frequented.
It was learned that the employee is a friend of Reyes.
The body cam footage showed Reyes conducting a traffic stop in the parking light behind the convenience store. Investigators decided the stop look staged because Reyes’ patrol car’s lights were not activated, and the employee’s vehicle was not running and she was standing outside of it.
At one point Reyes pointed at her vehicle, indicating to get inside of it. The employee told him she did not have her keys or driver’s license, and that they were inside the convenience store.
Footage captured another employee saying “you could have at least turned the lights on,” as Reyes motions her to be quiet by placing his index finger to his lips.
Investigators said Reyes made more stops and gave gift cards to two other convenience store employees who were also his friends.
In an interview with the KS-CPOST commission, Reyes told an investigator that his police chief ordered him to give away three gift cards, even though participation was voluntary.
The commission determined Reyes had lied during the Aug. 9, 2024 meeting.