GRIFFIN, Ga. — A local police chief is on leave after allegations that one of his officers failed to reveal that his own brother was a suspect in a murder he was investigating.
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Channel 2′s Tom Jones spent the day in Griffin talking to residents about the controversy.
Police Chief Michael Yates was put on non-disciplinary administrative leave after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate allegations that Sgt. D’Marquivius King concealed information that his brother was a suspect in a murder.
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King was placed on administrative leave back in February because of the allegations. Months later, Yates is now on leave as well.
The city manager said that Yates going on leave does not reflect any specific concerns about him. Instead, the action is meant to minimize any possibility of misunderstandings surrounding the investigation.
Damon Beck is King’s brother. King is accused of failing to notify his chain of command or document that Beck was a suspect in the murder of Javareis Reid in May of 2021.
The then 22-year-old Beck was finally arrested eight months later and charged with murder and aggravated assault. He is one of three co-defendants in the case.
The GBI is still investigating Reid’s murder.
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Jones talked to some neighbors, who said it was disturbing to learn someone who worked for the police department hid information about a murder.
“It’s really disappointing. You expect better,” a woman said.
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