LaPrath is on unpaid administrative leave, according to a Dayton police statement about the criminal case and an associated internal affairs investigation.
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An 11-year Dayton police officer, LaPrath was suspended in April 2016 for 24 hours — for which he forfeited vacation time — for misconduct related to a Nov. 30, 2015 incident, according to personnel documents obtained by this news organization.
“An investigation revealed that you failed to contact a Crime Scene Investigator to process the crime scene at 50 South Findlay Street,” LaPrath’s performance history indicates. “You also failed to collect evidence from that crime scene and you failed to make a lock-up broadcast through Records for a named suspect in the crime at 50 South Findlay Street.”
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The provided personnel documents did not include anything under the headings “Performance Recognition” or “Training Memorandum.”
LaPrath went through Dayton’s police academy starting in May 2007, but the only performance reviews provided for LaPrath were from 2015-17. A department spokesperson said, “We only have to keep the most recent three years of performance reviews.”
Those reviews indicate LaPrath met most standards and once exceeded those in dependability, punctuality and preparedness, teamwork and productivity.
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“Officer (LaPrath) possesses excellent investigative skills,” a supervisor wrote. “Goes above and beyond to follow up on calls.”
He was also commended for reporting on time and taking a high volume of calls ranging from animal to parking complaints.
Police were dispatched at 1:10 a.m. on Nov. 11 to a home where a couple lives with their daughter. LaPrath allegedly kicked in a door, according to a 911 call.
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“Somebody broke into my house,” said a 911 caller while asking for help. “I’m sitting on top of him.”
Timecard records provided by the city of Dayton show LaPrath worked 10.5 hours on Nov. 10, clocking out at 5:35 p.m.
A request for dash-cam video of LaPrath’s arrest and ride to jail has not yet been fulfilled.
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