The second-in-command at the Roswell Police Department has resigned amid an internal investigation into allegations she assaulted and belittled a police recruit.
According to records obtained by Channel 2 Action News, interim Deputy Chief Helen Dunkin stepped on the recruit’s ponytail as she did push-ups during a workout at the department’s Mansell Road training facility in early April.
“I never thought it would actually happen to me,” the recruit told her supervisors during an internal affairs investigation into the incident. “As I was trying to go up, when we were commanded to go up, my head would essentially stay in the down position as the rest of my body went towards the up position.”
NEW AT 4: A local deputy police chief resigned abruptly while under investigation. The allegations about her conduct with a new recruit. pic.twitter.com/2AKqeKBhBj
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) May 13, 2020
Following the workout, Dunkin reportedly approached the recruit and told her even though department policy allowed her to wear a ponytail, she “hadn’t yet earned the right to wear her hair that way,” according to a recorded interview obtained by Channel 2.
“I was left a little hurt and confused about why that incident would occur and whether it was OK for her touch me if I was within policy,” the recruit told her supervisors.
Dunkin was placed on administrative leave after the recruit complained to internal affairs about the incident and subsequently resigned from the department.
In a statement, Roswell Police Chief James Conroy told the news station the allegations against Dunkin were “certainly concerning.”
“The actions uncovered during the investigation were determined to be in violation of City of Roswell and Roswell Police Department policies, rules and regulations,” Conroy said. “These actions clearly do not conform to the values and expectations of a Roswell Police officer, especially as a command staff officer.”
Dunkin has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and served as Roswell’s interim police chief following the retirement of Rusty Grant at the end of 2018. She joined the Roswell Police Department in May 2014 as the commanding officer of its Office of Professional Standards.
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council records show Dunkin’s police certification is still active in the state despite her resignation, according to the news station.
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