DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action New has learned the investigation into the DeKalb County sheriff's recent charges could lead to his removal from office.
Sheriff Jeffrey Mann is accused of exposing himself and running from police after an incident in Piedmont Park over the weekend.
Channel 2’s Nicole Carr learned the investigation could take months.
The lengthy process began Thursday morning with Gov. Nathan Deal appointing an investigative team. According to state law, it could lead to involvement by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
In the DeKalb County court of public opinion, the jury is still out about Mann's arrest.
"It's crazy that a public official would be caught doing something like that," DeKalb resident Kenny Briggs told Carr. “It's just a little mind-boggling.”
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Carr found out Thursday that the misdemeanor indecency charges against Mann could involve the superior court.
The process to decide all of this starts now, five days after Mann's Piedmont Park arrest.
“We made those appointments this morning and they will begin their work,” Deal said Thursday.
Deal issued an executive order saying within 30 days, he wants to know whether investigators will recommend Mann's suspension.
The team is made up of the Newton and Peach county sheriffs and the state attorney general.
The request for the investigation came this week from the state's sheriff's association.
"Doing that kind of thing makes people, at least me, question his character," DeKalb resident Rachel Burke said.
Mann has denied he led Atlanta police on a quarter-mile chase, after committing sexual acts on himself and approaching a bicycle cop in Piedmont Park.
By Tuesday, Carr got a hold of home surveillance video showing the chase and arrest.
“And then running from his own people. It's a little much," Briggs said.
If the governor decides more investigation is needed, he can bring the GBI in. He can ask the district attorney to draft a removal petition.
A superior court judge would replace Mann through any suspension until that investigation is complete.
Neither Mann nor his attorney have responded to interview requests this week.