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.