Office of the Sheriff » Bibb County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.0.Box 980 « Macon, Georgia 31202-0930 » (478) 746-9441 www.bibbsheriff.org April 22, 2015 Corporal Eric Avery Bibb County Sheriff's Office Patrol District 4 Dear Corporal Avery, "have reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 21st incident at Lake Tobesofkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn duties. While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb County by their inaction, and clearly demonstrated their ineptitude in the knovdedge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under the purview of their supervisors. You were the initial level of supervision that night and you were the approving authority for the report submitted by the responding deputies. Your lack of supervision and poor decisions on this night directly affected the outcome of a criminal investigation. However, you cannot be held wholly responsible, as you hold an appointed position of Corporal. You have not received the training nor did you have the ‘experience to be left solely in charge. There is no indication that you attempted to consult with individuals in higher positons about the incident in question, This incident has left me with grave concerns about your ability to be a leader and a Supervisor. Because of this, | am directing that you be relieved of the administrative designation of Corporal. Effective immediately, you will revert to your line deputy status and will not be considered for an appointment to Corporal again until you have completed remedial training in the following areas: © Criminal Procedure © Search and Seizure © Criminal Apprehension for Patrol © Supervision SkillPage 2 Corporal Eric Avery April 22, 2015 ' would hope that you will learn from this incident and, with more time, experience and training, you may one day become a good supervisor. Sincerely, () pod Mal David J. Davig Sheriff, Bibb County DiD/egOffice of the Sheriff « Bibb County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.O.Box 980 ¢ Macon, Georgia 31202-0930 © (478) 746-9441 www.blobsheriff.org April 22, 2015 Lt. Wilton Collins Bibb County Sheriff's Office Patrol District 4 Dear Lt. Collins, have reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 21st incident at Lake Tobesofkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn duties. While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb County by their inaction and clearly demonstrated their ineptitude in the knowledge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under your supervisory purview. Your lack of supervision this night directly affected the outcome of a criminal investigation. Because you did not fulfill your responsibilities as a supervisor to stay aware of what your subordinates were handling, and because you did not provide the necessary supervisory guidance that was clearly needed during this incident, I must question your supervisory skills and ability. | have to question why you, as the sole Lieutenant working in the District, allowed a mere Corporal to make crucial supervisory decisions and why you chose not to get more directly involved in the incident. Supervisors carry rank and have more responsibility because they have demonstrated the ability, through knowledge and experience, to lead and make decisions for the good of the Office and for the citizens of Bibb County. On the night in question, you let the Office and citizens of Bibb County down by your failure to supervise, You are hereby to be removed from the primary law enforcement function at the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. Effective April 23, 2015, you will be assigned to the Court ServicesPage 2 Lt. Wilton Collins April 22, 2015 Section of the Sheriff's Office. Your return to a law enforcement function will not be considered until you have completed remedial training in the following areas: © Criminal Procedure © Search and Seizure © Criminal Apprehension for Patrol As your leadership and communication skills are clearly in need of remediation, you have left great doubts with me about your capabilities to lead an elite unit. You have left me no choice but to remove you as Commander of the EOD Unit. Effective immediately, the Unit will fall under the command of Lt. Billy Skinner. You will remain a member of the EOD unit, and Lt, ‘Skinner will use your EOD Tech skills as needed. ‘Once you complete remedial classes in the following areas, | will consider your reinstatement: © Supervision Liability © Supervision Skills © Management Skills © Communication Skills © Leadership Skills tT would hope that you will learn from this incident and appreciate the responsibility that comes with being a supervisor. Sincerely, ab) David J. Dvis Sheriff, Bibb County DID/cgOffice of the Sheriff » Bibb County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.O.Box 930 # Macon, Georgia 31202-0930 ¢ (478) 746-9441 www.bideshetif.org April 22, 2015 Captain Chris €. Patterson Bibb County Sheriff's Office Patrol District 4 Dear Captain Patterson: Ihave reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 2st incident at Lake Tobesofkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that. individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn dutles. While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb ‘County by their inaction and clearly demonstrated ineptitude in their knowledge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under your supervisory purview. As the Captain in charge of Patrol District Four, you were responsible for your deputies’ actions and for the actions of their supervisors. | have to question why the chain of command was not engaged that night and why a Corporal was left to make all crucial decisions about the incident, | have to consider, however, that at the time of the incident you had just recently been promoted to Captain and had just recently been assigned to a Patrol District, While | can hold you accountable as a supervisor, ! cannot fault your lack of knowledge and experience. \ know this will be a significant learning experience for you, and that errors like these are unlikely to occur again under your watch. To that end, you are ordered to take tralning in the following areas to better acquaint yourself with the responsibilities associated with your rank and position: * Liability for Supervisors © Supervision Skills © Management SkillPage 2 Captain Chris E. Patterson April 22, 2015 {do believe you are an asset to our Patrol Division and that with more experience, you can be an effective Captain. Effective immediately, you are transferred to Patrol District Two, where | hope the deputies and the residents in that area of the county will benefit from your newfound experience. Sincerely, Gadde Sheriff, Bibb County DsD/cgOffice of the Sheriff ° Blob County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.O.Box 930 « Macon, Georgia 31202-0930 « (478) 746-9441 www.bibbsheriff.org April 22, 2015 Major Charles Stone Bibb County Sheriff's Office Patrol District 4 Dear Major Stone, Ihave reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 2ist incident at Lake Tobesofkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn duties. While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb County by their inaction and clearly demonstrated their ineptitude in the knowledge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under your supervisory purview. As the Major in charge of Patrol District Four, you were responsible for your deputies’ actions and for the actions of their supervisors. | have to question why the chain of command ‘was not engaged that night and why a Corporal was left to make all crucial decisions about the incident. Regardless of the reason, by your position you share in the responsibility for the mistakes made by all levels that night. What was proven that night is there was a serious problem with supervision and management within your District, and that is unacceptable. You have given me no choice to but to reassess and reevaluate the leadership assignments not only in District Four but throughout the Sheriff's Office. Effective immediately, you are transferred to the Detention Center. | suggest you reacquaint yourself with the basic tenets of supervision, management and liability. To that end, you are hereby directed to take remedial training in the following areasPage 2 Major Charles Stone April 22, 2015 Liability for Supervisors Communication Skills Supervision Skills Management Skills Leadership Skills ' would hope that you will learn from this incident and appreciate the responsibility that ‘comes with your high rank. Sincerely, (ad fue David J. Davi Sheriff, Bibb County DiD/egOifice of the Sheriff « Bibb County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.O.Box 930 « Macon, Georgio 31202-0990 » (478) 746-9441 wwwbibbsherif.ong April 22, 2015 Colonel Henderson Carswell Bibb County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Services Dear Colonel Carswell, 'have reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 21st incident at Lake Tobesctkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn duties. While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb County by their inaction and clearly demonstrated their ineptitude in the knowledge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under your supervisory purview. AAs the Colonel in charge of all law enforcement operations, you are responsible for your deputies’ actions and for the actions of their supervisors. | have to question why the chain of command was not engaged that night and why a Corporal was left to make all crucial decisions about the incident. Regardless of the reason, by your position you share in the responsibility for the mistakes made by all levels that night. ‘What was proven that night is that there was a serious problem with supervision and management within your operation, which is unacceptable. You have given me no choice but to. reassess and reevaluate the leadership capabilities not only in Patrol District Four but throughout the Sheriff's Office. have taken steps to address the failings of the district leadership in this matter. | hope that you will use this incident as a reminder that you need to remain abreast of the actions of your subordinates. You should also be ready to take remedial and punitive actions against anyone who fails to do their sworn and supervisory duties, J urge you to avail yourself of any training which will further your knowledge of executive leadership.Page 2 Colonel Henderson Carswell April 22, 2015, ! would hope that you will learn from this incident and appreciate the responsibility that comes with your high rank. Sincerely, (acd, David J. Davis Sheriff, Bibb County DiD/egOffice of the Sheriff * Bibl County, Georgia Sheriff David J. Davis P.O.Box 980 « Macon, Georgia 31202-0980 « (478) 746-9441 www.bibbsherifforg April 22, 2015 Chief of Staff David Montford Bibb County Sheriff's Office Dear Chief Montford, thave reviewed the circumstances surrounding the March 21st incident at Lake Tobesofkee in which shots were fired in the direction of three fishermen, and have found that individuals in positions of authority failed to uphold their sworn duti While the patrol deputies were clearly derelict in their duties to the citizens of Bibb County by their inaction and clearly demonstrated their ineptitude in the knowledge of basic criminal procedure, they cannot be blamed entirely. Ultimately, their actions or inactions fall under your supervisory purview. As the Chief of Staff in charge of all operational aspects of the Sheriff's Office, you are responsible for your deputies’ actions and for the actions of their supervisors. | have to question why the chain of command was not engaged that night and why a Corporal was left to make all crucial decisions about the incident. Regardless of the reason, by your position you share in the responsibility for the mistakes made by all levels that night. What was proven that night is there was a serious problem with supervision and ‘management within the Sheriff's Office, which is unacceptable. You have given me no choice to but to reassess and reevaluate the leadership capabilities not only in District Four but throughout the Sheriff's Office. Thave taken steps to address the failings of the district leadership in this matter. | hope that you will use this incident as a reminder that you need to remain abreast of the actions of your subordinates. You should also be ready to take remedial and punitive actions against anyone who fails to do their sworn and supervisory duties. {urge you to avail yourself of any training which will further your knowledge of executive leadership.Page 2 Chief David Montford April 22, 2015 1 would hope that you will fearn from this incident and appreciate the responsibility that comes with your high rank. Sincerely, : David J. Davis Sheriff, Bibb County DiD/ce,