Officers, Command Staff Resign After South Georgia Police Chief Arrested by GBI
Key Events
Incident Date: February 19, 2023
Publication Date: February 27, 2023
Main Points
Police Chief Arrest:
Dearin "Mack" Drury, the former Chief of Police at Homerville Police Department, was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for allegedly improperly handling evidence.
Charges Against Drury:
Theft by taking
Possession of marijuana
False statements and writing
Violation of oath
Police Department Response
Resignations:
Following Drury's arrest, several members of the Homerville police department command staff and officers resigned.
Interim Police Chief:
James Herndon was appointed as the interim Homerville police chief in a special city council meeting.
Herndon reportedly lacked the staff and equipment to effectively handle calls for service within Homerville.
Sheriff's Office Response
Clinch County Sheriff's Office Commitment:
Sheriff Stephen Tinsley assured that the Clinch County Sheriff's Office would continue to answer service calls and enforce laws throughout the county, including the City of Homerville.
Community and Administrative Actions
City Council Meeting:
Held to appoint an interim police chief following the resignation of several police officers.
Social Media Announcement:
Sheriff Stephen Tinsley addressed the situation on Facebook, ensuring community safety and service continuity.
Implications
The police department is currently understaffed, affecting its operational capacity.
The situation highlights the need for quick administrative and staffing adjustments to maintain law enforcement effectiveness in Homerville.