Detroit police officer Lashaud Welcome was convicted Tuesday of official misconduct for doctoring an arrest report in a routine dope and gun case.

Welcome chose to lie when the truth would have served even better, Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Tom Dawson said.

“I’m happy with the verdict,” Dawson said. “It was correct. And this is a good day for the Detroit Police Department. They investigated this case and flushed out these bad officers.”

Welcome’s partner, Ruffus Stewart, pleaded guilty earlier and is to be sentenced May 27. Both officers, facing maximum five-year prison terms, were suspended without pay following their arrest after a police internal affairs investigation.

A sentencing hearing for Welcome was set for May 11 by Wayne County Circuit Judge Linda Parker, who heard Welcome’s case without a jury.

In their arrest reports of the February 2009 incident, the officers said they found marijuana and a pistol on driver Megale Redd. However, gas station security tapes showed they got the drugs from a passenger and found the gun under the hood of the car. The car belonged to a relative of Redd.

Without running a records check, the officers told the passenger, Sherrod Redd, to leave. Sherrod Redd, Megale Redd’s uncle, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for violating his probation in the assault of a police officer.

Dawson, in closing arguments, said Welcome undercut the criminal justice system and fair play: “We’re here because Mr. Welcome decides the ends justify the means.”

Source:freep.com/JOE SWICKARD