Groveland Officer on Leave After Allegedly Sleeping on Job

A Groveland reserve police officer was placed on administrative leave after allegedly falling asleep in his cruiser Thursday.

Deputy Chief Jeffrey Gillen reported Friday the department received a photograph and video of the officer who appeared to be asleep. The officer was not officially identified, but Gillen said the officer was hired about a year and a half ago.

“We take this matter very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation,” Gillen said. “This is a personnel matter and we are limited in what we can discuss, but we will make the results of this investigation as public as the law allows.”

The officer was said to have fallen asleep behind the wheel of the cruiser at an intersection in Groveland.