Pubdate: Wed, 08 Aug 2001 Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA) Copyright: 2001 The Augusta Chronicle Contact: http://www.augustachronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31 Note: Does not publishing letters from outside of the immediate Georgia and South Carolina circulation area Author: Teresa Stepzinski AGENCY WILL INVESTIGATE OFFICERS WHO RESIGNED Inquiries Will Focus On 4 Men Who Quit Amid Allegations Of Drug Abuse, 1 Who Left After Driver Complaint BRUNSWICK, Ga. - The state agency that polices Georgia law enforcement officers plans to investigate allegations of misconduct that led to the resignations of five Glynn County police officers within a week. The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council is an independent administrative body that sets and enforces the regulations governing police officers statewide. It automatically investigates allegations of wrongdoing involving peace officers and can suspend or revoke the certification that allows them to work in the state. Police Chief Carl Alexander could not be reached for comment Monday. Brad Pope, the council director of investigations, said the agency will investigate the circumstances surrounding the resignations late last month of acting Lt. Charles Barry Moore, K-9 handler Jessie Don Gardner, and patrol Officers Mark Allen Covington and Mark Oliver Watson. The four resigned amid a Glynn County internal police investigation into allegations they were using unprescribed steriods. All are bodybuilders. That inquiry resulted from an ongoing state and federal investigation into a steroid and Ecstasy distribution network extending across Georgia. Mr. Pope said the council also will look into the circumstances surrounding the apparently unrelated resignation Thursday of another Glynn patrol officer, John "Steve" Powell. He resigned two days after department officials began investigating a complaint that Mr. Powell, while off-duty, illegally stopped a motorist July 27. The motorist withdrew the complaint the day after making it, but police officials continued the internal investigation. Mr. Pope said an agency investigation generally takes six to nine months. The council then will review the findings for possible disciplinary action up to revocation of an officer's certification, which, in effect, ends a peace officer's career in the state. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake