Two more Woodstock police officers have been fired since an investigation into alleged illegal drug use was launched in September, bringing the number of fired officers to three.
Dylan James Cotter and an unidentified officer were fired for allegedly using cocaine, Woodstock police spokeswoman Brittany Page confirmed Thursday.
The department announced the investigation and the firing of officer Michael Smart, the department’s 2017 rookie of the year, in late September, AJC.com previously reported. Cotter, the other fired officer and a fourth officer who was exonerated of any wrongdoing were previously placed on administrative leave.
RELATED: Woodstock officer fired, 3 others suspended amid drug investigation
Credit: Woodstock Police Department
Credit: Woodstock Police Department
Cotter was fired Sept. 30, according to Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council records. He had worked for the department since September 2017. His file had no other disciplinary history, and he hasn’t worked for another law enforcement agency in Georgia.
The other officer who was fired is appealing the decision and was not identified by Page.
It was prompted by an anonymous tip that one member of the department was using illegal drugs, Assistant Chief Kevin Culpepper previously said.
When Smart was fired, Culpepper said he had no reason to believe Smart was on duty at the time of the alleged drug use. He also said there was nothing to indicate the drugs came from the department’s evidence room.
In January, Smart was commended in Woodstock's 2018 operating highlights for making 57 drug arrests last year. Only two other officers in the department had more, according to the report.
“The Woodstock Police Department is committed to thoroughness and transparency in investigating allegations of employee misconduct and want to assure the public that appropriate action will be taken when warranted,” the department said in the September statement.
Aside from the pending appeal, the investigation has been concluded, Page said.
— AJC data specialist Jennifer Peebles contributed to this article.
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