Former Clayton police chief back at work

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By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Clayton County Police Academy Director Jeff Turner was reinstated Wednesday after the county's civil service board rejected a request to extend the former chief's unpaid suspension.

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Then-Police Chief Jeff Turner at a special meeting called by the Clayton County Board of Commissioners in Jonesboro on Dec. 28, 2009.

Elissa Eubanks, eeubanks@ajc.com Then-Police Chief Jeff Turner at a special meeting called by the Clayton County Board of Commissioners in Jonesboro on Dec. 28, 2009.

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Clayton County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday night to extend the suspension pending the outcome of an investigation led by the board's chief of staff, Alex Cohilas. But their request was unanimously rejected by the civil service board, said Keith Martin, Turner's attorney.

The investigation will continue, said Jamie Carlington, spokeswoman for the board of commissioners. The inquiry stems from an allegation into the 22-year veteran's alleged misuse of surveillance equipment.

Turner was transferred to the police academy on Dec. 28 after Clayton commissioners accused him of insubordination and mishandling sexual harassment complaints against officers. He was suspended eight days later pending completion of the inquiry, which was due by week's end.