A Gwinnett County police officer has been arrested after what authorities describe as a domestic dispute and is now off the streets while the department takes a hard look at his conduct.
Investigators say the officer shoved a former partner onto a couch during an argument, then later used law-enforcement databases to track the victim’s whereabouts.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Gwinnett County police responded to the call on Friday, May 1, and determined the two had previously been in a relationship and were still living together as the victim prepared to move out. Officers say the alleged push happened the night before the call, and investigators later tied prior searches of law-enforcement resources to the officer’s account.
The Gwinnett County Police Department said in a statement that “department resources and law enforcement databases are intended to protect the community, and any misuse of that authority will not be tolerated.” The agency added that “all officer database activity is monitored and audited for compliance,” and said the officer has been relieved of duty while an internal review plays out, per FOX 5 Atlanta.
Charges and legal context
The officer was arrested and charged with simple battery and stalking, according to the department.
Under Georgia law, simple battery covers intentional physical contact that is insulting or provoking, while the stalking statute addresses following, contacting, or surveilling another person without consent for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. For the statute text, see Georgia’s simple battery law on Justia and the state’s stalking statute on Justia.
What happens next
The department says the officer has been relieved of duty while the internal administrative review moves forward and any criminal case works its way through the court system. It was not immediately clear whether the officer was being held on bond or had retained an attorney, according to a release attributed to the department and reported by Classic City News.
Local accountability and precedent
Gwinnett officials pointed to routine audits of officer database activity as one of the agency’s safeguards against misuse and said those measures will be enforced in this case. The county has previously taken administrative or employment action when officers faced domestic-related criminal allegations, including a prior case in which an officer resigned in lieu of termination, according to a county news release.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs help, contact local law enforcement or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for immediate assistance.
