City in Meriwether County fires police chief, suspends police force
By Ellie Parker
Published: Jun. 19, 2024
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A city in Meriwether County has fired its police chief and suspended its entire police force.
The City of Warm Springs announced the “immediate termination” of Police Chief Emilio Quintana and the suspension of the police department following a “comprehensive departmental-wide investigation.”
“The decision to terminate Chief Quintana and suspend the police force was made after careful consideration of recent events and emerging concerns regarding the conduct and operations within the department,” city officials said in a press release.
Interim Police Chief Aisha Al-Khalifa will oversee the police department, city officials said. Neighboring departments will help “(ensure) that essential police services continue uninterrupted.”
“Meriwether Sheriff’s Office has and will continue to respond to any calls for service in the county and is ready to assist any municipality that has a request,” Sheriff Chuck Smith said in a statement.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved. (https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/06/19/meriwether-county-city-fires-police-chief-suspends-police-force/)
Warm Springs officials tight-lipped on why police force suspended
By Patrick Quinn
Published: Jun. 20, 2024 at 8:58 PM EDT
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Warms Springs Police Department remains empty.
On Thursday, no city officials could elaborate on the reason the department was shut down.
“Based on the evidence of our legal counsel and due to the ongoing investigation and pending litigation, there is no official comment at this time,” said Tammy Howe, a Warm Springs City councilmember, in a press briefing on Thursday.
The south Georgia town, known for its Roosevelt Little White House historic site, has a population of roughly 500 people.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the city wrote the mayor fired the police chief and suspended the remaining 13 police officers.
“The decision to terminate Chief [Emilio] Quintana and suspend the police force was made after careful consideration of recent events and emerging concerns regarding the conduct and operations within the department,” city officials said in a Wednesday social media post.
The city appointed Aisha Al-Khalifa as interim chief.
Al-Khalifa is the only person active on the police force as of Thursday.
Howe declined to answer any questions surrounding the investigation or current status of the suspended officers.
Atlanta News First reached out to Warm Springs Mayor Robyn Pynenburg on Thursday.
Pynenburg declined to answer any questions and said in a text message that she was out of town.
“We’ve been without a police chief before, and we’ve been short-staffed before,” said Gerrie Thompson, innkeeper in Warm Springs.
Thompson said she formerly served on the City Council and trusts the mayor had a legitimate reason to fire the police chief.
“It’s not something that’s just a spur of the moment thing. I’m not potentially worried about anything. And I’m sure whatever is going on, they will have it taken care of,” said Thompson.
Howe confirmed that they will rely on the Meriwether Sheriff’s Office for emergency response coverage.
“Meriwether Sheriff’s Office has and will continue to respond to any calls for service in the county and is ready to assist any municipality that has a request,” Meriwether Sheriff Chuck Smith said in a statement.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/06/21/no-comment-warm-springs-officials-tight-lipped-why-police-force-suspended/
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