The Atlanta Police Department has added a charge of simple assault against one of its own, Officer Garret Rolfe, following an altercation that occurred while he was off-duty at X Midtown bar on June 29. The incident, which rose from verbal exchanges to physical confrontation, initially resulted in the arrest of 52-year-old Raefeael Penrice. As the investigation continued, evidence led to probable cause for charging Rolfe as well. According to the APD's statement update, the full spectrum of gathered information is set to be reviewed by the Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office.
In the early hours of June 29, what began as a verbal altercation at the bar located at 990 Piedmont Avenue NE quickly escalated, prompting police intervention. The responding officers' investigation resulted in Mr. Penrice's arrest on counts of Simple Battery and Battery. Rolfe, meanwhile, has been on paid administrative leave since the day of the incident, his conduct both in and outside his badge under APD's scrutiny.
According to incident reports and reviews, Rolfe may have misused his authority during an off-duty encounter in June. The Atlanta Police Department has now found probable cause to charge him with simple assault. In response, the department reiterated its commitment to high standards, stating that officers are expected to uphold the law both on and off duty.
