Smyrna Police Chief: Cobb PD, DA's Office Will Investigate Officer-Involved Killing

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The following is a statement provided by Smyrna Chief of Police David M. Lee:

On behalf of the Smyrna Police Department, I would like to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of Nicholas Thomas. Acknowledging their loss under difficult and complicated circumstances, we express condolence to Mr. Thomas’ family.

In the aftermath of any law enforcement use of deadly force, both the involved officer and community are entitled by law, and deserve, a professional and objective finding of facts, and careful deliberation of the outcome. To that end, we have immediately initiated the following actions:

• With confidence in the Cobb County Police Department’s objectivity and integrity, we requested that the Cobb County Police Department conduct the primary investigation.

• By prior agreement, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office will review every step of the investigation. Senior prosecutors responded to the scene of the shooting and will confer with investigators throughout the investigation.

• In conformance with Smyrna Police Department Policy, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

• We have also initiated a Smyrna Police Department internal affairs investigation. The investigators will report their progress directly, and only, to me. The intent includes uncovering, if they exist, any wrongdoing by the officer(s) in addition to the broader aspects of investigation. The administrative aspect of this internal investigation is intended to determine if there are any administrative or policy violations that occurred.

• Once the investigation has been completed by the Cobb County Police Department, the investigation will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their review.

• It is the policy of the Cobb District Attorney that every case involving a law enforcement officer shooting is placed before a Cobb Grand Jury. This case will be no exception. Once the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the District Attorney’s office for their review and for presentation to the Grand Jury.

• We have been in contact with both the NAACP and the SCLC and assured them of our commitment in conducting a thorough, comprehensive and transparent investigation.

While we cannot discuss further details of this investigation at this time and until the investigations are complete, we urge you to avoid conclusions of thought or of our actions until the final investigation is complete and the facts have been thoroughly examined.

At this point we are committed to the serious business of these multiple investigations and will use our best efforts to insure that all investigators from all agencies are able to work without interference and in accordance with all applicable regulations and laws.

Chief David Lee

Smyrna Police Department