3 months ago
Cochran police Tuesday said none of their officers have been arrested or suspended so far, as the FBI and GBI continue to investigate the department.
State and federal authorities are investigating officers in the Cochran Police Department, said a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI says the two agencies are investigating allegations of unlawful conduct by officers.
They say information from the Pineview investigation developed into the investigation here at the Cochran police department.
Tuesday, Cochran police Lt. Chris Coley says all of the department's 15 officers are still on the job, and none have been arrested or suspended.
"We cooperate with the investigation, as we can, as needed, and we just stay focused on our mission," said Coley.
He said Chief Jon K. Thrower was out of the office today but was due back Wednesday.
Neither Coley nor the GBI would say which officers are being investigated, or how many.
The allegations stem from a 2008 investigation of former Cochran Police Officer Brent Powell and another officer, while the two were working part-time in Pineview, in Wilcox County. Powell was convicted of violating his oath of office. He was sentenced to five years probation.
According to the news release, charges against the other officer are still pending. During the investigation, the GBI says, authorities found information that led them to expand their inquiries.
The GBI's Eastman office released the following statement and declined to answer further questions:
"The GBI and FBI are investigating allegations of unlawful conduct by officers of the Cochran Police Department. The allegations developed during the 2008 investigation of former Cochran police officers Brent Powell and another officer while the two were also working part-time as officers in Pineview, GA. Powell was subsequently convicted of Violation of Oath of Office and sentenced to five years probation. Charges against the other officer are still pending adjudication. During the Pineview investigation, information was developed which expanded the investigation into actions of officers in Cochran. The investigation is on-going."
