Source: DeKalb County sheriff loses POST certification

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A source close to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council confirmed to FOX 5 News the revocation of DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann’s POST certification on Wednesday.

The sheriff’s office released a statement in response to the reports of the loss of certification which reads:

“According to reports in the local news media, the Georgia POST Council today voted to revoke the law enforcement certification held by DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann. Sheriff Mann was not informed that this matter would be considered by POST at today’s council meeting, and, as of this statement, Sheriff Mann has not been advised of this decision.  Until official notification from Georgia POST is received, he will not have a response.”

A POST certification is required by the state of Georgia to hold office as sheriff. Mann would have 30 days following official word about the revocation to appeal.

In July, Sheriff Mann pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of prohibitive conduct inside an Atlanta city park and obstruction as part of a plea deal between his attorney and prosecutors. He was sentenced Mann to a 180 day suspended sentence, $2000 fine plus court costs, and 80 hours of community service. He also was banned from all Atlanta parks.

The plea stemmed from a May 6 incident at Piedmont Park. Atlanta Police said Mann exposed himself and then fled from officers. Mann said it was a misunderstanding.

Mann placed himself on suspension for a week in the days following the alleged incident. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal also placed him on a 40-day suspension after a state committee investigated the sheriff’s conduct.