Wednesday, December 6, 2000
|
Wednesday, December 6, 2000 |
|
Tyrone cop resigns after being cleared in strip-search flap
By JOHN MUNFORD Tyrone Police Officer David Yates has unofficially been cleared by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation inquiry into claims that he improperly strip-searched a teenager for drugs back in October. Yates was reinstated to active duty several weeks ago, said Tyrone Police Chief Roger Spencer. But he doesn't plan to be with Tyrone for much longer. Last Monday, Yates submitted his resignation so he could become police chief for the city of Luthersville, Spencer said. Yates has been a patrolman with Tyrone for almost two years. He also has worked with agencies in Newnan and Hapeville, Spencer added. "We wish him the best of luck," Spencer said. Yates was reinstated after the GBI and the district attorney's office told Spencer there would be no criminal charges filed against the officer. Spencer said Yates will not be punished further since it was determined he followed standard operating procedures while assisting a county sheriff's deputy with the situation. The deputy had called for backup, Spencer added. Yates was suspended from duty with pay when the charges from 17-year-old Joey Skinner came to light. Skinner claimed that after he had complied with an order to pull down his pants and shorts, Yates yanked down his boxers without warning. Skinner has said Yates told him he smelled marijuana and asked him "Where's the dope?". No charges were filed against Skinner. The incident took place on Mann Road in the Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction though it was near the Tyrone city limits, Spencer said. It is not uncommon for Tyrone officers and sheriff's deputies to assist each other when nearby, Spencer said. "Sometimes, there might be only one deputy on the west side of the county and that guy needs help," Spencer said. Both agencies have a mutual aid agreement in place, the chief added. Sources told The Citizen that Skinner failed to show up for several scheduled interviews with the GBI about the allegations.
|
||