Toledo police officer fired after Walmart theft case

Department cites policy violations and maintaining community trust as reasons for termination

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Toledo police officer, Gregory Long Jr., has been fired following his conviction in a theft case and an internal investigation into his off-duty conduct. The department cited policy violations and emphasized the need to maintain community trust and high standards for officers on and off duty.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of police departments holding their officers accountable for misconduct, both on and off duty, in order to maintain public trust and uphold the integrity of the law enforcement profession.

The details

Officer Gregory Long Jr. was charged and convicted following alleged thefts from a Walmart store while he was off duty. An internal investigation by the Toledo Police Department found that Long's actions violated department policies, leading to his termination.

  • On February 24, 2026, the Toledo police chief announced that Officer Gregory Long Jr. had been fired.

The players

Gregory Long Jr.

A former Toledo police officer who was fired following his conviction in a theft case and an internal investigation into his off-duty conduct.

Toledo Police Department

The law enforcement agency that terminated Officer Gregory Long Jr. for policy violations and to maintain community trust.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage public trust in our police force.”

— Toledo Police Chief

What’s next

The Toledo Police Department will continue to investigate any allegations of misconduct by its officers and take appropriate disciplinary action when necessary to uphold the integrity of the department.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of police departments holding their officers to high standards of conduct, both on and off duty, in order to maintain the public's trust and confidence in law enforcement.