WICHITA — A Wichita police captain who was recorded shoving a teenage referee during a youth basketball game earlier this year is no longer with the department.
Officer Paul Cruz tells the Wichita Eagle that Kevin Mears’ employment with the Wichita Police Department ended Monday. Cruz didn’t say whether Mears was fired or resigned.
Mears was found guilty in July of misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, sentenced to six months’ probation and ordered to pay $450 in fines.
Mears was placed on leave shortly after video of the January game in Augusta appeared to show Mears shoving the 17-year-old female referee. Mears testified he didn’t shove her and was just trying to get to his son, who was injured.
The referee testified Mears ignored her orders to leave the court and was shouting obscenities before he pushed her.
