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GBI investigating Lithonia Police Department for alleged crime database abuse

The chief had been on paid leave since February
By
May 12, 2018

The GBI announced they are investigating the entire Lithonia Police Department just days after the past police chief was fired for allegedly misusing his power.

Police Chief Roosevelt Smith is the target of an investigation in Lithonia. (Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

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Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Chief Roosevelt Smith was fired Monday after city councilman Ric Dodd accused Smith of running his name through the Georgia Crime Information Center database to look into someone’s background, which he didn’t have the legal authority to do, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Smith was previously placed on paid administrative leave in February.

Dodd has also accused other officers of doing the same thing, Channel 2 reported. This has resulted in the GBI expanding its investigation.

Interim police chief Pserda Dickerson also asked for the GBI to investigate the department, the station reported.

The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council has started its own investigation into certain police officers’ actions, Channel 2 reported.

In other news:

Alpharetta police originally suspended Officer James Legg and opened an internal investigation into what happened. Legg resigned Friday afternoon, according to his lawyer.

About the Author

Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.

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