OFFICER RECORDS
Loveless, Christopher L.
Overview
Christopher L. Loveless worked for the American Fork Police Department from September 3, 2019, through February 25, 2020. He resigned in lieu of termination following an investigation into a pursuit collision and false statements in his crime report and probable cause statements. In June 2021, the Utah POST Council suspended his peace officer certification for two years for falsification of a government record.
Employment
Officer Loveless worked for the American Fork Police Department from September 3, 2019 to February 25, 2020.
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Transparent Utah Public Compensation Records Fiscal Year Entity Employee Title Wages Benefits Total 2020 American Fork City Loveless, Christopher L. Police Officer $30,562.55 $19,993.00 $50,555.55 - National Police Index Profile
POST Discipline
According to the POST disciplinary proceedings, on February 22, 2020, Christopher L. Loveless accelerated his patrol vehicle during a pursuit and crashed into the back of the suspect vehicle. He falsely stated in his crime report and probable cause statements that his brakes had overheated and were not working to their full potential, preventing him from stopping properly.
During the department’s investigation, Loveless admitted accelerating into the suspect vehicle. He made the same admission during a subsequent POST Garrity interview and said he did not recall using his brakes during the pursuit. He resigned from the American Fork Police Department in lieu of termination on February 25, 2020.
On June 22, 2021, the Utah POST Council voted to suspend Loveless’s peace officer certification for two years for falsification of a government record.
The probable cause affidavit in State of Utah vs. Sidney Dawn Helm (case 201400600) identifies Kolten Fraughton as the submitting officer and bears his electronic signature. Its first-person narrative includes the pursuit collision and brake explanation that the POST hearing attributes to Christopher Loveless. The available records do not explain this discrepancy. But it seems most likely that Loveless’s statement was copied into the affidavit without changing the first-person pronouns.
Media Coverage
This February 24, 2020 article reports a pursuit the preceding Saturday and quotes the brake-overheating explanation discussed in the POST hearing. The article does not name the officer.