Former San Diego police officer pleads guilty in embezzlement case

A former San Diego police officer pleaded guilty to taking funds from a police program dedicated to school safety and using the money on personal expenses.

Prosecutors say Curtis Doll, 42, took around $4,000 from a bank account used to fund the police department’s School Safety Patrol Program, a crossing guard program aimed at helping elementary school students safely cross the street at uncontrolled intersections near schools throughout the city.

Doll then used the funds on a variety of personal purchases, such as clothing and car tires, prosecutors said.

Investigators served a warrant at Doll’s home last year. On Friday, he pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to the lone felony count filed against him, fraudulent appropriation by a public officer.

Police spokesperson Lt. Cesar Jimenez confirmed Monday that Doll is no longer a member of the department.

Doll is slated to be sentenced next month.

The fraudulent appropriation by a public officer count carries a maximum possible penalty of three years in custody. Doll’s guilty plea does not involve a stipulated sentence, but a District Attorney’s Office representative said the sentence will involve at minimum two years of formal probation and full payment of restitution.