The Atlanta Police Department is cracking down on drinking and driving among officers. FOX 5's Morse Diggs has learned that the number of DUIs involving Atlanta officers has more than doubled.
According APD Chief George Turner, eight officers have been arrested on DUI charges in 2012 so far. Turner is promising stiffer discipline, including termination.
APD Deputy Chief Shawn Jones said that in 2011, there were three officers charged with DUI.
"We want to keep our officers on the right side of the law. I mean, we're held to the same standards as any citizen," said APD Deputy Chief Shawn Jones.
Dennis Hammock of the Atlanta Police Union said that officers deal with troubled situations.
"Police officers only deal with the bad side of life. They do that most of every day that they're on the job. Maybe this is a way to escape sometimes and they just get carried away with it," said Hammock.
Turner said the stiffer penalties will begin on Saturday. Officers face a minimum of losing three weeks' pay if they get a DUI.
Union officials said they would like to see more treatment plans than suspensions.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:53:02 GMT
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over?
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over? The already gigantic Powerball jackpot for this Saturday night's drawing has risen again, hitting $600 million at noon on Friday—which is the highest in the history of the game.
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