Update 05/05/2021 8:21pm:
According to reports, former Atlanta officer Garrett Rolfe has been granted reinstatement despite still facing murder charges for the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks. The Atlanta Civil Service Board stated Rolfe should get his job back because the department moved too quickly in terminating his job.
“Due to the city’s failure to comply with several provisions of the code and the information received during witnesses’ testimony, the board concludes that appellant was not afforded his right to due process,” the board said in a statement. “Therefore, board grants the appeal of Garrett Rolfe and revokes his dismissal as an employee of APD,” the board said.
Original 04/24/2021 12:12am:
According to reports, the former Atlanta police officer who gunned down Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy's parking lot is seeking reinstatement.
Former officer Garrett Rolfe's lawyer Lance LoRusso, during a virtual appearance on Thursday in front of the Atlanta Civil Service Board, argued the city’s mayor pushed for Rolfe’s immediate firing, resulting in an inadequate hearing for his client. These situations normally result in officers receiving a "notice of proposed adverse action," which they typically have 10 days to respond to. Rolfe said he was fired the day after the shooting.
Sgt. William Dean, an APD internal affairs investigator, said during Thursday's hearing, that accommodations have been made to let other officers respond in the past. "Maybe some different arrangements should have been made for him, but I think there was time restraints involved as well," said Dean.
Speaking on the Brooks arrest, Dean said, "in my opinion, a lot of officers were somewhat apprehensive and feel like they may have been too aggressive," adding, "But I think on the onset they were very courteous, professional, they explained themselves. Things went far left when they tried to handcuff him. Prior to that everything was perfect - peaceful, cordial, professional."
Source: nydailynews.com
