Cobb officer accused of assaulting woman was once a police chief

COBB COUNTY,Ga. — A Cobb County police officer accused of assaulting a woman with the mental capacity of a child could be losing his job.

High-ranking law enforcement sources told Channel 2's Chris Jose that Officer Robert New's termination papers will be served at the Cobb County jail next week.

In an exclusive interview on Friday, Police Chief Mike Register told Jose that New’s employment with the department is currently under review. Register did not tell Jose what he recommended, but did say those details would be publicly revealed soon.

“The recommendation is in the county attorney’s office for their review,” said Register. “That will be disclosed when we’re in agreement with the county attorney’s office.”

Jose also learned on Friday that New previously served as a police chief in Emerson.

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Emerson city officials confirmed to Jose the embattled officer had two stints with Emerson police.

New started as a patrolman in September 1998 and left in February 1999 to work for Acworth police, officials said.

An Acworth police spokesman confirmed to Jose that New worked as an officer.

Emerson city officials said New came back to Emerson in November 2000. He was quickly promoted to police chief three weeks later and resigned in 2004 to work as a government contractor in Iraq, officials said.

Register said New joined the Cobb County Police Department in 2005.

Channel 2 Action News was the first to report that a judge signed off on a second arrest warrant on Thursday. Jose learned New allegedly used a mentally disabled woman to solicit her 12-year-old girl for sex. The alleged victim is the same woman who police say New assaulted during the month of March.

“Those are very serious charges,” said Register.

The alleged assault happened while New was off-duty, police said.

New remains in the Cobb County jail with no bond.

Cox Media Group