The Atlanta Police Department is cracking down on drinking and driving among officers. FOX 5's Morse Diggs has learned that the number of DUIs involving Atlanta officers has more than doubled.
According APD Chief George Turner, eight officers have been arrested on DUI charges in 2012 so far. Turner is promising stiffer discipline, including termination.
APD Deputy Chief Shawn Jones said that in 2011, there were three officers charged with DUI.
"We want to keep our officers on the right side of the law. I mean, we're held to the same standards as any citizen," said APD Deputy Chief Shawn Jones.
Dennis Hammock of the Atlanta Police Union said that officers deal with troubled situations.
"Police officers only deal with the bad side of life. They do that most of every day that they're on the job. Maybe this is a way to escape sometimes and they just get carried away with it," said Hammock.
Turner said the stiffer penalties will begin on Saturday. Officers face a minimum of losing three weeks' pay if they get a DUI.
Union officials said they would like to see more treatment plans than suspensions.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
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