Warren Police Officer Charged With Embezzling Funds From Youth Charity

Warren police officer Jack Barnes, 29, an associate advisor with the department’s Police Explorer Program, was arraigned Oct. 24 on a five-year felony charge of embezzlement from a charitable organization for taking between $200 and $1,000. The alleged misappropriation was discovered after a senior command officer noted a financial discrepancy following a July charity event, and the matter was referred to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office for investigation before landing at the prosecutor’s office. Barnes was placed on administrative leave (unpaid, per some reports) and has been with the Warren Police Department since December 2023. A judge set a $5,000 personal recognizance bond and ordered that he not leave Michigan or contact the complaining witness; his next court date is Nov. 18. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido stressed that the law applies equally to all, and Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said the department acted swiftly to address the misconduct while pledging continued support and oversight for the Explorer Program.