Tony Lattimoor, hired back to the department by Chief Moses Ector less than a year ago, has resigned effective Friday. Officer Mike Craig’s resignation Monday was immediate.
“We came to a mutual understanding,” Ector said of Lattimoor’s departure. “We thought it was best for the police department and his career if he made other career moves.”
Lattimoor, 42, who is a member of the National Guard, says in his March 6 resignation letter that he plans to concentrate more on a military career.
The LaGrange Police Department’s internal affairs branch began looking into Lattimoor’s behavior Jan. 21 after Ector requested an outside agency’s help with the probe. The 26-page investigation, obtained by LaGrange Daily News on Tuesday, revealed Lattimoor and Craig both were at the scene of a Waffle House incident and let an allegedly drunk restaurant patron drive.
“It’s not true,” is all Lattimoor would say about the Waffle House incident.
The report said police were called to the Bass Cross Road restaurant in January to respond to a call related to a suicide. After the initial investigation was done, Lattimoor, Craig and another officer were in a booth drinking coffee when the allegedly drunk woman - not involved in the initial call - came in, eventually sitting in the same booth with the officers. After some time, the woman and Lattimoor went outside and talked for about 30 minutes, then took separate cars to the Lincoln Street police station, where the conversation continued outside. The woman eventually left.
Craig, who says he’s considering legal options, denies being at the restaurant when the woman left.
“When I left, (she and Lattimoor) were talking,” Craig said. “I smelled alcohol on her breath, but how can I let her drive off if I’m not there?”
Ector called the Waffle House incident “shocking” and said both officers were asked to resign for letting the woman drive intoxicated.
“My main issue is, they’re sworn to uphold the law,” Ector said. “They made no attempt to stop her.”
The investigation initially began over allegations of Lattimoor’s contact with female employees at the department and at City Hall, as well as females in the community, while Lattimoor was in uniform. Ector said he didn’t put much stock in that part of the report, although he required all officers to attend a sexual harassment class at the department Tuesday afternoon.
“The report reads like a novel,” Ector said. “I can’t overemphasize, these women said they were ‘intimidated’ by Tony. It’s bewildering to me. No one ever came to me and said they were uncomfortable until this investigation.”
The allegations first were brought to Ector’s attention by City Councilman Thomas Pike, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
“Thomas is not on a witch hunt,” Craig said. “He just thinks it’s wrong for someone to go around hugging all the women.”
The LPD report indicates - and Ector acknowledges - Lattimoor’s tendency to hug women was a running joke in the department.
“I often use a joke as a way to give advice,” Ector said. “It’s a way to let people know, ‘We’re looking at you.’ Tony’s problem is, he likes to play and you can’t play when you’re in uniform. We’re in a different age now and you have to be careful with your words.”
Lattimoor made no apologies for his behavior.
“When I walk around this town, everyone from little kids to the elderly come up and hug me,” he said. “There’s nothing affectionate or sexual about it. People look at me as family, not just another police officer.”
Lattimoor began working as an officer in Hogansville in January 2002. He had been fired by former Chief Guy Spradlin in June 2007 after a botched raid on West Main Street where Lattimoor allegedly pointed a gun at a child. He held the rank of major at that time. The incident brought an NAACP investigation to the city, and a number of officers were disciplined.
Ector, who was criticized for not advertising the assistant chief’s job, says he doesn’t regret bringing Lattimoor back as assistant chief.
“I feel like Tony is a good person,” Ector said. “He was targeted. He was working under a glass mirror, and people were looking for a crack in that mirror.”
Lattimoor also doesn’t regret his return.
“I’ve always loved Ho-gansville,” he said.
Ector said he is advertising for a new assistant chief and has a host of qualifications he’s looking for.
“I need a proven professional,” he said. “I need someone who has education and upper management experience who can help me run this department. I need an independent thinker.”
A job posting at the de-partment says applicants must have five years as a major or assistant chief or a combination of both. Four years of college or completion of college in 2009 is preferred, and a graduate of the national FBI Academy is preferred.
Ector says he’s not sure if the city will be able to find someone with those requirements who’s willing to work for a Hogansville salary. He also says the requirements for the new assistant chief shouldn’t be a reflection on Lattimoor.
“He didn’t have the structure, and he wasn’t given the opportunity to grow and learn,” Ector said.
Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.
Probably, because of his Church background, he feels the need to give a small enbrace, just to give comfort or consolation. Not in any way meant to be interpreted sexually. He is neither fresh nor flip with women. He has a high regard for members of the opposite sex and for people in general. Officer Lattimor is a devout Christian and a Minister of God. He will recoup and he will make it in whatever profession he chooses because he is an honest, caring, gentle and over all, a real good person.
Officer Lattimor is genuinely nice. In today's society, its good to find a nice Police Officer. Whatever you have to say about him, know that God will punish you if you do or say anything to effect or harm this young man. He doesn't deserve all of this negativity.
As far as Mike Craig goes... YEEHAW!! The man that used to blast Donny Turner and his agency on this site daily preceeding the election could not last any time in a LEO position. How can that be, with all his wisdom? If he can better run the entire Troup County Sheriff's Department from his home pc, then how could he not keep a job for a year in an agency as small as Hogansville? Obviously, Mr. Craig is not as "swift" as he would like all to believe and hopefully this incident will give him some humility and lock jaw.
If I am not mistaken, I believe this is the home town of Chief Moses Ector; he was raised in this small community, and started his law enforcement career in this very same community. In a sense one doesn’t need a crystal ball to see what is happening here. When an individual or individuals have an agenda to pursue something that will have a negative consequence, their goal is then to accomplish the task regardless of who it might hurt. In reality such people are dangerous and not to be trusted at all.
The article implies that Sexual Harassment was going on and no one did anything about it. It appears this behavior was happening on the prior Chief’s watch and there are some ill feelings lingering from the previous administration. According to workplace policy, one must make a complaint to his or her commanding officer and personnel administrator. Reading this article, I didn’t read anything about the number of complaints filed, so the assumption then is no one ever filed a complaint. I‘ve never seen a policy or law that said you can’t hug someone, when people greet each other, nor as to how many times. Now, if this action offended someone else, it seems that “individual” has the problem. If, as a manager or supervisor, I observe perhaps too much of this behavior going on, this may prompt me to mention something to you as my employee, so that you can be aware of your actions, but; I must be careful as to how I approach this situation because no laws have been broken nor complaints filed. The history of most small communities and the relationship citizens have with their officials is one of genuine and sincere closeness. In reading this article, I didn’t find that anyone stated that the individuals were forced to hug the Assistant Chief or he grabbed someone and made them hug him.
My curiosity has been peaked, by; how many of these individuals are Caucasian female’s verses African American females, and Hispanic females, etc., since some of the comments written imply there is a color issue when the Assistant Chief was rehired and others were looked over.
Also, in small communities, positions such as Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, etc.; these positions sometimes are very political. If a buddy of somebody doesn’t get the job then several employees tend to get upset and pursue the road of misdirection. Then the commanding officer has an internal problem to deal with; employees become bitter, words are spewed and careers are ruined because of vindictiveness.
Always remember, when you dig one ditch, go ahead and dig another because the one you dig for me, only means you are going to need one more for yourself. It‘s the law of nature and “God”. The word of the Lord tells us there is life and death in the tongue, and once words are spoken you can’t take them back. You can be SORRY about it all day long!
My advice to your community is, don’t let the agenda of a few bitter, negative, evil hearted people put your community in an unpleasant light!