FLINT — Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged a former Genesee Township Police officer with one felony and one misdemeanor related to his actions following a traffic crash involving a relative of his.
Kenneth John Chase, 55, of Swartz Creek, was arraigned today in 67th District Court on two counts including the common law offense of Misconduct in Office, a felony and unauthorized service of legal process, a misdemeanor.
According to investigative reports from the Michigan State Police, Chase was employed as a police officer in Genesee Township when a relative of Chase’s was involved in a crash in May of 2025 in Mt. Morris Township. The Mt. Morris Township Police Department issued a traffic citation to Chase’s relative and determined this individual was at-fault in the crash.
Then-officer Chase disagreed with the results of the Mt. Morris Township investigation and decided to do his own unauthorized investigation. While on duty, Chase went to the residence of the other driver involved in the crash and identified himself as a police officer. He then requested the individual to turn over their key fob as part of a further police investigation into the crash.
This individual refused to give up the key fob and later reported the situation to the Mt. Morris Township Police Department.
Subsequently, according to the Michigan State Police investigation, Chase then prepared a fraudulent subpoena, signed his name to it and had a private investigator deliver it to the towing company who had possession of the other driver’s vehicle. The tow company held the vehicle on belief that the subpoena was valid. Chase then hired a private crash scene expert to go to the tow yard and retrieve data from the other
vehicle’s data recorder.
“Police officers are vested with a sacred duty to protect our communities and our citizens and are sworn to uphold the law, not undermine it,” said Prosecutor David Leyton after his office authorized charges.
Leyton added: “No one is above the law, including police, and if they violate the law, they will be held accountable under the law.”
A 67th District Court probable cause conference has been scheduled for January 22.
