Former Blackfoot Police officer pleads not guilty

Former Blackfoot Police officer Paul Hardwicke pleaded not guilty in court Friday.

Hardwicke is accused of illegally possessing oxycodone, morphine and tremadol.

In his preliminary hearing, Hardwicke’s attorney argued the drugs were collected from a drug take back box. The attorney also argues that at the time there were no written policies and procedures having to do with how those drugs are handled.

Hardwicke’s pre-trial conference is set for January 15th, his trial will begin January 16th.