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SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department (GPD) is temporarily unable to use speed detection devices due to the expiration of its Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license. GPD Chief Mike Yates said the license expired at midnight March 26, 2022. He learned of the license expiration March 28, and all officers were then notified […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Only four weeks after a press release posted on the City of Griffin Police Department Facebook page was deleted under mysterious circumstances, a second post related to the Griffin Police Department was deleted from a local community forum Facebook page. The latest deleted social media content involves a March 22 post […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: After years of denying The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews’ assertions that she has been subjected to unequal, detrimental treatment by Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, former City Manager Kenny Smith acknowledged a “difference” in her professional relationship with the Griffin Police Department. The November 2020 meeting during which these statements […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: In an organized effort, the city of Griffin and Griffin Police Department have engaged in the selective release of public records to manipulate the responses of Black residents to law enforcement uses of force and other GPD activities. At the same time, Griffin officials have refused to release those same records […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The city of Griffin is inquiring into the removal of a press release from the official City of Griffin Police Department Facebook page. Officials say they will be looking into the possibility of fraudulent use of the GPD social media account. The press release, posted Thursday, Feb. 24, was related to […]
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: On Thursday morning, the Griffin Police Department (GPD) issued a press release regarding the security breach that is the subject of this investigative report.The GRIP has been investigating this incident for nearly two weeks and has obtained information you will not find in the GPD press release. This article will also disclose additional […]
STAFF REPORT ::: A Griffin man is facing charges related to entering an auto in the Forest Hills neighborhood. The Griffin Police Department reports that at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, Uniform Patrol Officers patrolling in the area of Bieze Street spotted two men walking in the roadway. Authorities said when the UPD officers attempted to […]
STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement (CAGE) Unit, with support from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, have engaged in Operation Revolving Door, a 14-month concentrated effort targeting violent offenders, gang members and drug dealers in Griffin. GPD officials say […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The city of Griffin internal investigation of an audio recording of a meeting involving Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates and Lt. Chris Wilson has concluded and resulted in Wilson’s termination. Wilson, a nearly 15-year veteran of the Griffin Police Department and member of Yates’ command staff when the meeting was […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Lt. Chris Wilson, of the Griffin Police Department, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. This disciplinary action follows the initiation of an Internal Affairs (IA) investigation related to an audio recording purportedly made during a meeting involving Wilson and GPD Chief Mike Yates. When asked to confirm information The GRIP […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Schools countywide had an increased law enforcement presence today, and that will continue tomorrow, in response to a school shooting threat circulating on social media. Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix on Wednesday said both his agency and the Griffin Police Department were aware of the photograph urging students not to attend […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor on Monday confirmed the city is investigating an audio recording posted last week on social media that purportedly represents a meeting involving Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates and Lt. Chris Wilson, a member of Yates’s command staff. The recording was posted to the personal Facebook […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two Griffin Police Department (GPD) officers have resigned following an incident that resulted in one officer’s arrest. Lt. Jeff Smith was arrested at his Pike County residence Friday, Nov. 12, in what deputies of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) described as a domestic related incident. Smith was on unpaid administrative […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A high speed pursuit that began in the city of Griffin ended in Lamar County with the assistance of the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office. According to Lamar County Sheriff Brad White, the chase ended without injury to his personnel or the suspects. “It came down the four lane – 341 – […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department investigation of a Saturday afternoon shooting in the Griffin Crossings Apartment complex remains ongoing. Authorities responded to the complex entrance at approximately 2:27 p.m.Upon arrival, officers located a male victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Personnel of Griffin Fire-Rescue and WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency […]
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