The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation Tuesday after a suspicious traffic stop turned out to be one initiated by a Georgia Department of Corrections officer.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a press release Thursday announcing their findings after a citizen contacted the office about a traffic stop believed to be ‘extremely suspicious.’
From the press release:
…the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a citizen that he was pulled over by law enforcement on Highway 301 South near the intersection of A.J. Riggs Rd. The complainant felt this interaction was extremely suspicious. The Sheriff’s Office could find no records indicating that an original jurisdictional agency had conducted a vehicle stop in this area. Due to a recent report of a similar incident near the City of Brooklet, an investigation was initiated. investigators and Deputies were able to identify the person conducting the stop on 301 South as a Georgia Dept. of Corrections Officer. While, as a peace officer, he had lawful authority to conduct a vehicle pullover, it does appear this probably violated his departmental policy. As no criminal offense occurred, this incident was turned over to the Department of Corrections to deal with internally.
At this time, this does not appear related to the incident which occurred near Brooklet.
The Sheriff’s Office added that any similar incidents should be reported to BCSO and they will continue to work leads on the active case near Brooklet.
TheGeorgiaVirtue filed an Open Records Request Thursday morning seeking any pertinent information from the BCSO investigation as well as documents related to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Check back for updates.
Our elected sheriff failing to act again. GDC officers do not have the right to conduct traffic stops.
Zilke vs State GA supreme court ruled officers outside of their Jurisdiction DO NOT have authority to stop people.
This correctional officer has jurisdiction NO where in the state to make stops and arguably at best within the confines of a state prison only.
While they are POST certified, it’s limited in scope such as lacking arresting powers outside of convicted and sentenced inmates.
If a citizen dis this, it’s “police imperdonation”, a fellow “brother in blue” does it and it’s deferred back to his department. You mean state prison?
What’s happen to the person in Brooklet? I bet charged with 10000 different things. Will they defer it back to his job for forn”policy violations”.
As GA courts have said, “Being POST-certified simply means the officer has met the minimum requirements to be a “peace officer” in this state (see OCGA §§ 35-8-2 (8) (A), 35-8-8 (a) and 35-8-10); such status, however, does not confer extraterritorial jurisdiction.”
Christ al mighty vote this guy out.