GA Police Chief Suspended Amid Sexual Harassment Probe

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Lawrenceville Police Chief Tim Wallis has been suspended for 10 days without pay following an investigation into complaints of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and improper use of city property within the department.

It was not immediately known who within the police department was at the center of the sexual harassment claims.

Because of the nature of the complaints, the city said it called in a third party to investigate. Following the investigation's completion, an independent report was forwarded to the city attorney and decisions related to all personnel matters were finalized last Friday.

“I was disturbed by the findings of the investigation and issued penalties to the appropriate employees, including a requirement for individual training,” City Manager Chuck Warbington said in a news release.

“The City of Lawrenceville prides itself as an inclusive and safe workplace for all employees," he continued. "The workplace culture revealed through this investigation did not meet the standards of excellence expected of all departments in the city. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

In addition to the police chief's suspension, the department's assistant chief of police will be required to take "documented verbal counseling."

The city said a police captain declined to be interviewed as part of the investigation and announced his unsolicited resignation from the city and retirement from POST before the investigation was completed.

In addition, the city said it has also taken the following actions :

1. Mandatory in-person training for Police Department employees as well as the entire City staff
2. A city-wide emphasis on redirection of staff to the personnel policy addressing workplace behavior and related expectations.
3. A clear city-wide communication process for submission of confidential employee complaint.

Wallis has been out of the office on a medical modified work from home status since Dec. 13, 2021 due to unrelated health issues, the city said.

According to 11 Alive, Wallis issued a 13-page statement Jan. 13 to Warbington denying the allegations.

"I humbly ask this disciplinary action be removed or at the very least reduced," a portion of the letter read. It concluded with the police chief calling the allegations "false" and "unsubstantiated."

Meanwhile, the city said it is committed to moving forward in a positive manner and doesn't plan to comment any further on the issue.