Ex-Nebraska police chief gets probation for misusing $14,000 in public funds

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A former Nebraska police chief will spend three years on probation for misuse of public funds.

Terry Poland was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He will also serve 60 days in jail as a condition of his probation.

Poland, who led the Oakland Police Department, pleaded guilty in April.

Authorities say he went on a spending spree with taxpayer money from February 2020 to January 2021.

Poland used the city’s charge account to buy $14,631 worth of gift cards from a sporting goods store.

He then used the gift cards to buy things for himself and his family, including an ice fishing house, a basketball backboard, and women’s and children’s clothing.

When questioned about the purchases, Poland provided fake receipts saying the gift cards were used to buy ammunition for the police department.

Poland already paid restitution and also agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.