Cobb Police Officer Accused of Racism Resigns

MARIETTA, GA -- Maurice Lawson, the Cobb police officer who allegedly made racial comments after pulling over an African American motorist, has resigned.

Lawson, who was caught on video making the comment, “I don’t care about your people” during a traffic stop involving Fulton County school teacher Brian Baker, submitted his resignation on Thursday, reports the AJC.

Lawson had been suspended for two weeks without pay after the Cobb police department determined he had violated departmental standards.

Lawson also was allegedly involved in a similar exchange with Cobb County commissioner Lisa Cupid, who accused him of racial profiling.

A GoFundMe page was also created for Lawson to help his family meet expenses during his suspension. Its goal was to raise $5,000, but instead raised $6,500 in less than two weeks.

In the meantime, Cobb County’s director of public safety says an audit of the department’s policies from an outside agency may cost $95,000.

Sam Heaton, Cobb’s head of public safety, says the county has an excellent police department but one that has “trust issues” with some members of the local community.

A request for proposals will be issued at the Feb. 9 Cobb commission meeting.