Governor Suspends Dekalb Sheriff, 40 Days

Governor Deal has signed an executive order that will suspect Sheriff Mann for 40 days. The executive order will go into effect on Tuesday.

The action was taken after the conclusion of the investigation called for by the Sheriff’s Association of Georgia. The committee members were appointed by Governor Deal.

The allegations stem from an indecent on May 9^th at Piedmont Park. Sheriff Mann was cited with two counts after an officer reported that he was fondling himself in the park. The officer attempted to detain Mann who then led the officer on a foot chase.

Mann’s attorney has maintained his innocence and lost an earlier procedural hearing to dismiss the Governor’s investigation. The legal basis stated was the investigation was appropriate for criminal charges. The charges that Mann faces are considered local ordinance violations.

Mann, in a statement following the incident, maintained his innocence and stated “this was a misunderstanding”.

The POST Council also convened an investigation. The results from the agency that certifications police officers in the State of Georgia could result in revocation of certification. If Mann were to have his certification revoked, he would no longer be able to serve as the elected Sheriff of Dekalb County.

Mann had previously suspended himself as a “show of good faith” and pledge to donate a week’s worth of wages to a local charity.

Mann will face the charges from the city of Atlanta in court. The POST investigation could take 18 months to complete.