NATCHEZ — Retired police officer Gail Frisby repaid the Fraternal Order of Police $15,000 she had allegedly embezzled shortly before she pleaded guilty last Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge for stealing $421 from the nonprofit organization.

The FOP, as the victim organization, decided to charge Frisby, 58, 307 South Bluebird Drive, with a misdemeanor rather than a felony, Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said Monday.

Embezzlement of less than $500 is legally considered a misdemeanor; $500 or more is considered a felony.

FOP President Lt. Jerry Ford said Monday the FOP governing members and board of trustees took the $15,000 Frisby offered to them in restitution before choosing to seek misdemeanor charges in order to move on with the organization’s charitable duties.

Ford said the FOP leaders wanted to get their finances in order and recover the stolen funds before the annual FOP holiday needy children’s program — Santa Cop— begins in December.

“(The FOP) wanted to be able to do Santa Cop and not be in jeopardy of being in the red,” Ford said.

“(The decision) was for the larger benefit of the whole.”

Justice Court Judge Charlie Vess sentenced Frisby last Tuesday to six months suspended in county jail, two years of unsupervised probation, a $500 fine, court fees and 200 hours of community service.

The maximum sentence for misdemeanor embezzlement is six months in county jail and a $500 fine. The maximum sentence for felony embezzlement is 10 years in the state penitentiary and a $10,000 fine.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrested Frisby Oct. 12 on an NPD warrant to allow her to appear in justice court rather than municipal court. Frisby, who is a former NPD lieutenant, most recently worked as a court officer in municipal court until her retirement in January 2008. Mullins said her duties included court security, in-station reports and writing arrest affidavits for walk-in reports. She did not handle money during her time with the NPD, Mullins said.

Mullins said complying with the wishes of the victim organization when charging suspects with embezzlement is standard procedure in embezzlement cases.

The NPD launched the Frisby embezzlement investigation in early September when the bank notified the FOP approximately $400 had been overdrawn from its account, Ford said.

Lt. Craig Godbold and Ford, who is also an NPD investigator, performed the investigation. The investigation revealed Frisby’s embezzlement had been ongoing for approximately six years, Ford said.

Ford said Frisby was apparently using the nonprofit’s checkbook to write checks to cash, as well misusing the FOP debit card on personal items.

Mullins and Ford said they did not want to speculate reasons why Frisby stole the money and how she spent it.

Ford said the FOP has a new set of its governing members since Frisby’s transgressions came to light and has changed the way it operates as a business.

FOP changes include a requirement for two signatures on checks, a new system requiring the board to vote on any business decisions and the FOP no longer has a debit card.

The president, vice president, treasurer, state trustee and board of trustees were all replaced during the FOP regular elections on Oct. 1. Only the secretary remains in place.

Ford said the FOP is financially in the clear and operating normally.

“The lodge now has new leadership in all positions, changes have been made as far as how we conduct business and (the FOP) would like patrons to continue to help and know the effort has not been taken in vain,” Ford said.

Frisby was unable to be reached by press time.