South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Arrested

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA—After a nearly three-year investigation, John Gerald Poland, “Johnny,” 44, an officer with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, was arrested today on charges of witness tampering. Poland was taken into custody without incident this morning in South Lake Tahoe.

According to court documents, the violations include two counts for corruptly persuading a person to alter, destroy, or conceal an object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding, and attempting to do so and three counts for corruptly persuading another person with the intent to influence the testimony of any person in an official proceeding, and attempting to do so. Poland’s alleged actions took place both on and off duty.

Poland is alleged to have tried to dissuade witnesses from providing information and material, impeding a criminal investigation. Allegations of misconduct include: provision of law enforcement sensitive information to gang affiliates and sexual contact with minors. Poland’s alleged misconduct occurred over a period of several years, including during his time as a School Resource Officer at South Tahoe High School.

The arrest is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement SLEDNET Task Force.

The charges against Poland are allegations, and he is innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.