South Fulton City Council votes to change HR policy, place police chief on leave

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows will be placed on paid administrative leave starting August 5, following a City Council vote to adopt a new policy requiring department heads to step aside during formal investigations into their departments.

What we know:

The move comes amid a growing number of lawsuits targeting the South Fulton Police Department and its leadership. At least four former officers have filed complaints in recent weeks, including allegations of abuse of power, interference with internal investigations, wage withholding, and racial discrimination.

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, members voted 5–2 in favor of the policy, which mandates administrative leave for any department head under a city-initiated investigation.

What they're saying:

"Any department head whose department is placed under a City Council investigation [is] to be put on paid administrative leave," said Councilmember Natasha Williams-Brown, who represents District 6.

Although the city has not explicitly stated that Meadows is the target of the probe, Williams-Brown clarified the policy’s intent.

"The department is under investigation," she said. "The chief of police, as the department head, it was important that we have him on paid administrative leave."

The city issued a statement Wednesday confirming the decision, saying Meadows would be placed on temporary leave starting August 5 "while an independent review of the South Fulton Police Department is conducted."

"There have been some very serious allegations that have been brought forward against Chief Meadows," Williams-Brown said. "We have no way of knowing at this time and that is why we’re conducting the investigation."

Williams-Brown emphasized the need for transparency and fairness.

"It is important that any investigation have integrity around it, that people are able to have confidence that it’s going to be fair and impartial," she said. "And that nobody can accuse him of doing anything to interfere, to obstruct or otherwise impede the investigation."

The backstory:

On Friday, the South Fulton City Council met in a special called meeting, which quickly went into an executive session. Once the city council members emerged, they voted to proceed with hiring an outside firm to investigate.

Big picture view:

While the South Fulton Police Department matter was top of the mind, it was not top of the agenda. Council members got an update on an independent audit of the city's purchasing cards during a special called meeting on Tuesday afternoon, sidelining talk about the SFPD and any probe.

Why you should care:

Meadows is currently on a previously scheduled vacation. He is expected to begin administrative leave upon his return. In his absence, the deputy chief will oversee the department.

The backstory:

One lawsuit claims Meadows used his position to protect his nephew after a police chase. Another accuses him of improperly influencing the outcome of an officer’s polygraph test. Two additional complaints allege wage suppression and racial discrimination within the department.

At least four former officers have filed suits against the city, alleging various issues:

• Lt. Pserdia Dickerson filed a lawsuit on July 2, claiming the department owes her thousands in retroactive pay and unpaid overtime.
• Cpl. Rachel Seager claims she was racially discriminated against by non-white officers, stating she was called "Cracker Police." She filed her complaint on July 4.
• Detective Avery Bragg filed a federal lawsuit on July 14, accusing Chief Keith Meadows of misconduct, including helping his nephew escape criminal charges after leading Detective Bragg on a dangerous chase.
• Theron Griffen, in a July 14 lawsuit, claims Chief Meadows punished him for reporting misconduct and "influenced polygraph examinations."

The other side:

Chief Meadows has not yet responded to a request for comments.

What's next:

City officials are reviewing candidates to lead the independent investigation. No timeline has been given for its completion.

"Once that investigation is over, we will follow the facts wherever they may lead and make the decision at the conclusion of the investigation," Williams-Brown said.

 

South FultonNews