Missouri Officer Suspended Over Insurance Fraud Charges

A Kansas City, Mo., police officer accused of crashing his 2001 BMW for the insurance money has been suspended without pay.

The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday that Shawn Oden told insurers he was trying to avoid hitting two deer when he hit a concrete barrier in March 2010. His insurer paid $12,319 to the vehicle’s lien holder.

The 28-year-old Oden was charged last week in Platte County with one count of first-degree property damage.

Authorities say Oden admitted to committing insurance fraud in August 2011 when he was applying for a job with the Aurora, Colo., police department.

The Kansas City police fraud unit later investigated. Court records say Oden told investigators he crashed his car because of financial difficulties.

It’s not known if Oden has an attorney.