The police chief of one of Georgia’s public universities is on paid administrative leave amid allegations he sexually harassed and assaulted female police officers in his department.
At least three female officers have accused Savannah State University police Chief James Barnwell of inappropriate behavior. Two of the women filed complaints last week with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, their attorney, Abda Quillian, said Tuesday. Felicia Spears, an attorney representing the third woman, said Tuesday she plans to file an EEOC complaint.
Savannah State placed Barnwell on leave on March 23.
The attorneys declined to discuss specific details of the claims against Barnwell, but Quillian did say the chief’s actions against her clients included sexual assault. The conduct occurred for about two years, they said. Barnwell was hired in March 2016.
“It seems dreadfully systematic,” Quillian, a lawyer with the Tate Law Group, said in a telephone interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Savannah State University is investigating the allegations, but declined further comment because it is a personnel matter. Barnwell could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Barnwell completed two hours of legal issues training the day before he was placed on leave, according to a report by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.
The attorneys for the women said they have felt additional stress since the allegations emerged.
“It’s tough to work in an environment when you feel this type of pressure,” said Spears, a lawyer with the Ifill Law Group.
Barnwell began his law enforcement career with Savannah’s police department in July 1983 and retired as a major in February 2016, according to the report. His 12-month salary was $89,000 during Fiscal Year 2017, state records show.
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