Seattle police officer fired after concocting misplaced gun story

SEATTLE (AP) — A veteran Seattle Police Department officer has been fired after he was accused of dishonesty for an incident involving his misplaced gun.

The Seattle Times reports that officer Ernest Hall was terminated Monday after 31 years in the department.

Officials say Hall reported a bag containing his service pistol, ammunition, handcuffs and police radio were missing on Oct. 3. However, when a detective contacted him, Hall said he had recovered the items thanks to his criminal contacts. The statement opened an internal investigation.

During the investigation, Hall admitted he found the bag under a pile of clothes in his home, but concocted the other story because he felt silly telling that to another officer.

The president of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild says an appeal will be filed to contest the firing.