Weapon sales by former Kansas police officers being investigated

BEL AIRE, Kan. – Law enforcement officials say former officers in the Bel Aire police department are being investigated for possible illegal weapons sales.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter confirmed a joint local-federal investigation has been ongoing since December but he declined to offer further details.

Bel Aire Police Chief Darrell Atteberry said the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the investigation. Atteberry, who became chief in May, stressed that no current officers are being investigated.

Sheriff Easter says his office is also part of the investigation.

The Wichita Eagle reports police agencies can buy discounted firearms from manufacturers. The guns are supposed to be used only as service weapons and are not be resold.

This story was originally published September 5, 2014 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Weapon sales by former Kansas police officers being investigated."