Investigation into Allegedly Biased Officer Extended

SMYRNA-VININGS, GA -- An investigation into the allegedly biased conduct of a Cobb County police officer during a traffic stop is being extended, a Cobb County spokesperson said Thursday.

Officer Maurice Lawson pulled over black motorist Brian Baker on Mableton Parkway on Nov. 16 and was recorded on dash camera footage telling Baker to “Go back to Fulton County” and saying “I don’t want to hear about your people.”

Lawson issued Baker tickets for speeding and failure to maintain his lane, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Cobb County police have formally apologized to Baker and have reduced his tickets to warnings.

The investigation into Lawson was originally scheduled to be completed on Monday, but that schedule has been adjusted.

“In order to conduct the most thorough investigation possible, the Cobb County Attorney’s office has revised its original timeline based on the need for additional review of records and scheduling of additional interviews,” county communications director Sheri Kell said in a statement. “The report will be delayed until all information is collected and analyzed.”