An investigation of officers at two area law enforcement agencies concluded this week with the resignation of a third police officer for illegal use of steroids.

Polk County Police Department Chief Kenny Dodd said two of his officers — John Garrett, 41, of Silver Creek, and Shawn Bates, 27, of Silver Creek — both resigned effective Sept. 21 in lieu of termination.

Cedartown Police Department Assistant Chief Jamie Newsome said one of the city’s officers — Scott Couch, 36, of Cedartown — also resigned in lieu of termination, effective this past Monday.

The investigation originated Sept. 2 at the county police department. Dodd said Bates’ wife called him worried about Bates “acting strange.”

“An investigation revealed that Bates and Garrett ordered the ingredients to manufacture anabolic steroids,” Dodd said. “They had to convert these ingredients to liquid form to use it, which they did.”

Dodd said he called Bates into his office and read him a Garrity Warning. This is a procedure in which a police officer, prior to being interviewed in a disciplinary setting, is warned that they are under investigation for violation of departmental rules, that they are obligated to give statements for internal purposes and these answers may not be used against them in a criminal proceeding.

“Bates admitted everything,” Dodd said. “He also implicated Garrett.”

Dodd said Garrett, when similarly questioned, denied any wrongdoing and was not cooperative with the inquiry.

At that time, Dodd said, he contacted the Rome Police Department to request an investigation. Normal procedure is for an outside agency to investigate.

That investigation resulted in sufficient evidence for Dodd to move toward termination of both officers. However, Bates and Garrett resigned instead.

The investigation also implicated Couch at the Cedartown Police Department.

Newsome said that Couch, after being read a Garrity Warning, admitted to having provided a single vial of injectable testosterone to Garrett. Garrett then reportedly provided the testosterone, which is a Schedule III controlled substance, to Bates.

Couch had legal possession of the drug, but it is a violation of law to provide a prescription medication to other people.

With the officers’ resignations, there will be no further action taken by the local agencies. Dodd noted that the officers’ statements having been made under Garrity Warnings precludes using their testimony in any kind of criminal indictment.

However, further action is likely by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. Dodd said the results of the two investigations have been forwarded to the POST Council.

The council may revoke the certification of the officers, place them on probation (suspended certification) or decide to take no further action against them.

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About Garrity Warnings

Garrity v. New Jersey (1967) was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that law enforcement officers and other public employees have the right to be free from compulsory self-incrimination.

The following is an example of a typical Garrity Warning issued to police officers:

"I wish to advise you that you are being questioned as part of an official investigation of the Police Department. You will be asked questions specifically directed and narrowly related to the performance of your official duties or fitness for office.

You are entitled to all the rights and privileges guaranteed by the laws and the constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States, including the right not to be compelled to incriminate yourself (and to have an attorney of your choice present during questioning).

I further wish to advise you that if you refuse to testify or to answer questions relating to the performance of your official duties or fitness for duty, you will be subject to departmental charges which would result in your dismissal from the Police Department.

If you do answer, neither your statements nor any information or evidence which is gained by reason of such statements can be used against you in any subsequent criminal proceeding. However, these statements may be used against you in relation to subsequent departmental charges.

Posted Oct. 1

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd today said an investigation into two police officers led, in turn, to a second investigation involving the Cedartown Police Department.

The Rockmart Journal filed a Freedom of Information request this week seeking details about the outcome of the original investigation.

Dodd said that the second investigation is ongoing and is the reason why more details have not been released regarding the initial investigation into the conduct of two Polk County Police Department employees.

"That investigation spurred a new investigation," Dodd said. "Another officer at another agency was implicated."

Dodd said that publicly releasing more details of the Polk County Police Department investigation at this time might hamper the related investigation, which he said involves a Cedartown Police Department official.

Dodd further stated that he understands that there is great public interest in the case. He promised that more details will be released once the related investigation comes to a close.

Posted Sept. 9

The Rome Police Department should have the investigation of two Polk County police officers completed in about two weeks, according to Polk Police Chief Kenny Dodd.

Dodd said the city was called to do the internal investigation out of protocal to call an outside agency for such matters.

"Next Wednesday, they expect to complete their investigation and will send their findings to me," Dodd said. "At that time, I'll make a decision about their employment."

While Dodd confirmed the investigation revolves around alleged actions of two officers, he would not give their names or elaborate on charges against them.

"It's not fair to put their names out there and what they're accused of because, if they are exonerated, it wouldn't be fair to them," he said.

Posted Sept. 8

Two officers with the Polk County Police Department are currently on administrative leave pending an investigation.

A tip phoned in to the Cedartown Standard citing that two officers could be facing some type of disciplinary action prompted a call to the police department for more information on the situation, which apparently occurred last week.

According to Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd, the investigation is ongoing and further information will be made available at the conclusion of the unnamed agency’s investigation.