Albany police officer recommended for termination resigns

ALBANY — An Albany police officer recommended for dismissal over an April traffic stop that turned violent resigned Thursday, Albany Police Chief Michael Persley said today.

Officer Jamie Sutton, who had been assigned to the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, was recommended for termination following an investigation into a traffic stop that left Llewellyn Glover injured.

In a statement released through the city’s public information office, Persley said Officer Jamie Sutton resigned the day after he was granted a pre-termination appeal hearing. City Manager Sharon Subadan had 10 days from Wednesday’s hearing to accept or reject Persley’s termination of employment recommendation.

The resignation came the day after Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards announced that his office would not pursue criminal charges against Sutton.

“The Albany Police Department became aware of an incident on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, after receiving an internal report of use of force by an Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit Officer,” Persley said in the statement. “Based on further review of that report, a decision was made to immediately begin an investigation.

“Mr. Jamie Sutton, the officer involved, was removed from the field and placed on administrative leave. The investigation of the incident was completed, and the recommendation of termination was submitted to the city manager. Mr. Sutton requested and was granted a pre-termination appeal hearing on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, which is city policy. A thorough review of the evidence was conducted. Procedurally, the city manager was to render a decision within 10 days of the hearing. However, Mr. Sutton submitted his resignation on June 15, 2017.

“The mission of the Albany Police Department is to develop personnel to provide quality law enforcement services in an efficient manner that keeps the public trust while maintaining order in the community. Furthermore, we want to ensure that all behavior conducted by our officers is consistent with the mission and the core values of the department.”

Sutton stopped Glover on the 500 block of West Lincoln Avenue for a brake-light infraction. The incident quickly escalated into a physical altercation between the two men after Sutton accused Glover of possessing marijuana and attempting to eat the evidence.

Glover has maintained that he had no marijuana, and only a marijuana grinder was found at the scene, according to the original police report.

Witnesses posted video of the incident on Facebook. Shortly thereafter, Sutton was placed on administrative leave while an Internal Affairs investigation was conducted.

According to reports, Glover sustained injuries to his head, hand and leg after Sutton “body-slammed” Glover to the ground and placed him in a choke hold. Glover has since obtained legal representation, the Law Office of Julius Collins, who told The Albany Herald his firm is preparing “multiple lawsuits” against the city, the APD, ADDU, the Dougherty County district attorney and Sutton.