A former Hastings police officer was charged with misconduct Wednesday, after she allegedly filed false reports and issued warning tickets to people who didn’t exist.

Sgt. Valerie Scharfe allegedly filed 37 false tickets between January 2006 and December 2008, so she wouldn’t be in violation of the department’s policy, according to officials.

The Hastings Police Department requires officers to make at least two traffic stops per 11-hour shift.

Thirteen of the false tickets were issued to people who do not exist, according to the criminal complaint.

Of the remaining 24 tickets, 22 were issued to people who are in the Department of Motor Vehicles’ records.

Investigators contacted the people who were ticketed and all of them denied even driving in Hastings on the dates Scharfe recorded.

"She made some poor choices and it discredits the 14 years of good service she has done," said Hastings Police Chief Mike McMenomy.

Scharfe’s charge is a gross misdemeanor. She faces a year in jail and possibly a $3,000 fine.

"For her to disregard expectations is a discredit to the people and the department," McMenomy told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Scharfe resigned on January 16, after learning a complaint was filed about her and that the department would be conducting an internal investigation.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS visited Scharfe's residence on Wednesday, but she was unavailable for comment.

Scharfe was a 15-year veteran of the Hastings Police force.