San Francisco police officer accused of spending on-duty hours at home

SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco police officer was charged with theft of public money after officials said he spent his days at home when he should have been walking a beat.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1etDzJI) undercover officers watched 52-year-old Ronald Gehrke go home repeatedly over a period of months while he was on duty.

An investigation was launched after a neighbor wrote to police brass wondering why Gehrke's department cruiser was often parked in the driveway of his house near Lake Merced.

The 19-year department veteran faces 10 misdemeanor counts. He has been suspended without pay. If Gehrke's found guilty, he could face a year in jail and will likely be fired.

The officer is due back in court Oct. 24, when a judge will schedule a trial.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com