Former Blackfoot police officer charged with felony drug possession

Former Blackfoot Police Department Officer Paul Hardwicke has been charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, oxycodone and morphine. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years and/or a $15,000 fine.

Bingham County Prosecutor Cleve Colson said Hardwicke was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, tramadol and “legend” or prescription drug. The misdemeanor charges both carry a maximum sentence of up to one year and/or a $1,000 fine.

He said all of the incidents occurred on May 28th when Hardwicke was an officer with the Blackfoot Police Department and a school resource officer at the Blackfoot High School during the time of the alleged crime.

Colson said the school district was notified when the criminal conduct was discovered. Hardwicke was immediately removed from his position as a School Resource Officer and placed on administrative leave by the police department.

The Pocatello Police Department completed the investigation.

According to Colson, Hardwicke is no longer employed by the Blackfoot Police Department. In addition, the prosecution will be assigned to the Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as a Special Prosecutor.