A Wichita Police officer who was accused of helping a woman avoid being arrested, has been formally charged.
Officer Matthew Powell, who has been with the department for seven years, has been charged with one count of obstructing apprehension of prosecution and two counts of official misconduct. All three charges are misdemeanors.
He is accused of helping a woman with an outstanding warrant avoid arrest. Powell is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his case.
The Sedgwick County sheriff’s office was asked to investigate the case under a 2017 agreement to ensure transparency and to avoid conflicts of interest.
