POLICE CHECK CLAIM THAT COP RETURNED POT PIPE

Lafayette police are investigating an incident in which officer Gardner
Mendenhall allegedly returned a marijuana pipe to a teenage girl after
finding it in her purse.

Mendenhall is accused of sexually assaulting the 17-year-old girl the
following night. He was bound over for trial on that charge Wednesday.

Police Chief Paul Schultz said Wednesday that officers are not supposed to
return marijuana pipes to teenagers. He said the investigation is nearing
completion.

Mendenhall is on leave without pay from the department.

The pipe has come up several times in testimony on the assault charge.

The girl testified last week it "crossed my mind" that Mendenhall was
seeking sexual favors in returning the pipe.

According to documents in the case, Mendenhall told investigators that he
should not have returned the pipe.

"I gave her a break," he said.

Schultz said the internal investigation is also exploring why Mendenhall
was assigned to drive the girl home when it wasn't known if a parent was
there to meet her.

"We're reviewing all our policies," Schultz said.

In the meantime, no minor will be sent home unless a parent or legal
guardian is known to be present, he said.

The girl's father was home, but was asleep, according to testimony at a
hearing last week.

Schultz said the department doesn't have enough staff to adopt a policy of
requiring that girls be driven home by female officers.