Boneau reinstated to Port Arthur PD

Published 6:02 pm Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Sgt. Kris Boneau has been reinstated to the Port Arthur Police Department.

“No disciplinary action has been taken against Boneau and he is being reinstated with the PAPD as a result of PAPD’s internal administrative investigation,” Risa Carpenter, public information officer for the city, said.

Boneau will be transferred from internal affairs to patrol but has not been demoted.

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He is the second officer to return from administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged wrongdoings. Veteran officer Maj. John Owens was the first to be reinstated. He, too, was reassigned within the department.

The investigation into five officers, including Boneau and Owens, came to light in February after PAPD Det. Elie Van Horn made sworn statements about a number of issues ranging from obstruction or retaliation and misuse of official information to official oppression.

The affidavit signed Feb. 17 was obtained through an open records request to the Texas Department of Public Safety and names Deputy Chief Raymond Clark, Deputy Chief John Owens, Sgt. Scott Gaspard, Sgt. Kris Boneau and Det. Mickey Sterling.

Gaspard resigned his position in late February and Clark retired. Sterling remains on administrative leave as the Texas Rangers review the allegations of misconduct to determine if a criminal investigation is warranted. The findings will be presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney for review upon completion.