RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia school system has taken disciplinary action against several members of its police department after a state review raised concerns about their law enforcement certifications.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The Richmond County School System announced it terminated five school resource officers after the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council recommended revoking their peace officer certifications.
The officers are identified as Anthony Dubois Sr., Wallace Lebrane, Kara Lundy, Jacquez Williams and Nathan Mercer.
School officials said the employment decisions were made after the district conducted its own internal investigation and reviewed findings and recommendations from the state agency.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Singer Duncan Sheik dies at 56
- ‘This is not a book ban’: Cobb superintendent explains controversial decision to remove novel
- 3 women intercepted $65K in rent payments, causing tenant evictions, police say
“Families, employees and our community place significant trust in the officers who serve our schools, and we take that responsibility seriously,” Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb said in a statement. “When concerns are brought to our attention, we have a responsibility to review the facts and take appropriate action.”
Cobb said the district will also provide additional guidance and expectations for the police department moving forward to strengthen accountability, professionalism and public trust.
The school system said that its employment decisions are separate from the POST certification process and were made in accordance with district policy and applicable law.
The district also announced personnel action involving Officer Tijuana Jones. While Jones’ POST certification was not recommended for revocation, she will remain employed with the department and must complete a 24-month probationary period and an ethics course under guidelines from Georgia POST.
School officials said they cooperated with the POST review and have examined the findings involving department employees.
The Richmond County School System said it remains committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism, accountability and public trust within its police department.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]