Smyrna Police Officer Arrested, Suspended
Officer Darryl L. Whitfield was arrested Saturday following a domestic violence incident.
The City of Smyrna Police Department has suspended an officer with pay pending the conclusion of an internal investigation. The suspension follows an arrest made by the Cobb County Police Department over the weekend.
At approximately 1:25 p.m. Saturday, Cobb officers were dispatched to the Powder Springs home of Smyrna Police Officer Darryl L. Whitfield.
About two hours later, Whitfield was arrested and charged with misdemeanors including simple assault, simple battery, third degree cruelty to children (allowing a child to witness family violence), and obstructing or hindering persons making emergency telephone call, said Smyrna police spokesman Michael Smith.
Whitfield was held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on $11,220 bail and has since bonded out of jail.
Smith said the Smyrna Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation of Whitfield, who has been a member of the department for eight years and worked in the patrol division.
Carol
4:17 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
I understand the desire to use keywords to help track stories. However, I think it would be prudent to take the officer's name off of the keywords. We all have the luxury of being innocent until we get our day in court and are deemed guilty.
Angela Chao
4:47 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Hi Carol, Thanks for the comment. The name was in both Cobb and Smyrna police departments' releases and public records. We're only presenting the facts, and not in anyway suggesting that the involved individual is guilty. The "Tags" on the bottom help us as well as readers organize and search content internally.
M. B.
5:53 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Hmmmmm. Interesting comment Carol. Perhaps his wife and children have a very different opinion. Whether is he found guilty or innocent, he committed a crime.
I have lived in Smyrna for over 20 years and had a run in with this officer during a marathon in Smyrna. He was blocking the entrance in and out of our neighborhood, and wouldn't allow any of us in or out. He became rather irate whenI attempted to gain access to my home, pulled me over and began screaming at me until another officer showed up and told me I could pass. One neighbor even threatened to call Max Bacon because this Mr Darryl Whitfield appeared to have a bit of trouble controlling his emotions. I've seen him around Smyrna, and frankly found him to be amusing. Total Napolean symdrome. Little man with a big gun. I hope this gets him out of Smyrna for good. Good riddance, meh
thomas
8:15 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
That's what innocent means in this context. That he did not commit a crime.
Brian
3:43 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
M.B., legally you are incorrect. You said, "Whether is he found guilty or innocent, he committed a crime." He committed no crime if he's found innocent, so what's your logic?
Then you go on to discuss things that are circumstantial. Leave legal discussions up to the court and jury, please.
I'm not saying he's innocent or guilty, but you don't know the facts. Furthermore, I imagine his family would appreciate you staying out of their business.
Bruce
5:36 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Carol, in all the Patch websites names and photos of ordinary citizens are posted if they are charged with a crime. If the whole system is changed and only upon conviction is the name and photo of an ordinary citizen released then I would agree with you. But that is not the way it's done.
Duncan
4:22 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
I don't understand one of the pictures with this story; one, of course, looks like the lights atop a police vehicle but the other of the building is a mystery; is it supposed to be this accused officer's home?
Angela Chao
4:35 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Hi Duncan, the building in the picture was the Smyrna PD.
30080
8:37 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
You left off the most important tag. Battered wives. If he was arrested for third degree cruelty to children they were witness to something and it wasn't pleasant. There's a special place in hell for men who batter their wives.
MA Evans
10:16 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
The focus of this article should be on domestic abuse. Every nine seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten. It’s the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
You’re in a violent and abusive relationship if your partner:
uses physical force in a way that injures or endangers you
humiliates or yells at you
criticizes you and puts you down
treats you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see
ignores or puts down your opinions or accomplishments
blames you for their own abusive behavior
sees you as property or a sex object rather than as a person
acts excessively jealous and possessive
controls where you go or what you do
keeps you from seeing your friends or family
limits your access to money, the phone, or the car
constantly checks up on you
The domestic abuse helpline for men and women is 1-888-743-5754.
Atlanta Glamdoll
8:01 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Many of the comments here are addressed to a single commenter rather than the article and its content. The underlying issue here is "can we respect a man if he's convicted of disrespecting those in his own household."
If he's found guilty then "NO". Send him to Lithonia for a desk job! (he'd be fortunate to get that), then let him face a judge!
If he is in fact, mostly innocent, he would regain most of the public's trust/respect and should return to full duty.
Of course he'd be under scrutiny, but that's "par for the course".
------ Domestic violence is a serious issue everywhere. Even "small events" will eventually escalate into larger events if permitted to progress. Do nothing IS a permit for things to progress.
Brian
12:02 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Agreed. We need to let the court do its work and avoid a lynch mob.
John Q.
1:15 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
There are a lot of incriminating details on public record that Patch has failed to report. If Patch wants to be recognized as a reliable news source for Smyrna residents, they should report the entire story and not cherry pick which details to release to gloss over a very serious incident...
http://mdjonline.com/bookmark/20945689-Smyrna-officer-facing-domestic-violence-charges
Traci
6:09 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Thank you for posting the link to the othe news papers FULL STORY of the POLICE REPORT.
it says: “Accused did grab said victim by her hair and did force her to the ground,” the warrant states.
Accused did punch said victim in her left arm, left torso and left thigh. Said accused then did place one hand around said victim’s neck and strangled her until their Juvenile son entered the room and begged said accused to stop.”
The child-cruelty charge stems from the boy witnessing the violence against his mother, according to the warrant.
According to an arrest warrant for Darryl Whitfield, police were called to his home on Sweet Springs Drive at 1 p.m. Saturday. Whitfield’s wife told police he had threatened to kill her and then himself, and threatened to kill their son if his wife would not go into a bedroom with Whitfield.
Bob Frankel
1:27 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
You do realize that the Patch story was from yesterday...I read the MDJ story too it was on all of the ATL media outlets, even though I don't currently live in Smyrna I think I heard or read about this at least 5 times in the past 24 hrs. MDJ did have more about what's on the warrant, but that was published hours after this one, I don't see how it's "glossing over" if they're just trying to get what they have out to their readers. Just trying to be fair.
Diesel
8:40 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Things are NOT always what they appear folks. I'm male and was assaulted by my Ex. If it had not been for me recording the incident and aftermath with my phone, i might have been arrested due to lies by her. Stop judging until the FACTS are out!! Period!
And anyone with children has probably commited 3rd degree child cruelty simply by arguing in front of or even near them. It's a tack on charge for any other DV charge. Yes, i'm a police officer and have seen Many cases turn out to be opposite of what it appeared.
Diesel
8:48 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I'm not saying he's innocent but until he has his day in court, we should respect the system!
I know it all to well that it takes TWO to tango, so to speak. Just because she wasn't arrested doesn't mean she's not guilty of a crime either or at minimum she could have added fuel to the fire.
userbronco
10:36 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The union county sheriffs dept has five officers with DV problems. That's one of the reasons Scott Stephens lost the election
I'm of the opinion that cops often look the other way when fellow officers commit a crime , call it "professional courtesy ". But if they arrested one of their own. Then I would assume there was so much evidence that they simply couldn't look the other way.
R. Anderson
10:57 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
To get hired now employers do background checks. So to get a job you can't have too much debt but you can beat your wife.
thomas
2:33 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
This comment makes no sense since he was already employeed when the alleged incident took place. Try again.
James boone
5:09 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Try this the officer was my step father and the victims were my mother and 12 yr. Old younger brother.. This man was given lighter charges due to his occupational career... This says something about cops arrested by cops
James boone
5:11 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
That may be your situation getting beat up by ur wife but not all
Jack Bauer
5:24 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
It's funny how people believe the hype of the media and allegations..Let the system work the situation out...That's why we have due process. Due Process is for everyone not just for civilians that are happy that a police officer has been arrested. Be careful about throwing stones guys and girls...remember because you will have you day, and want people not to judge.
JAMES JONES
1:26 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
I agree Jack Bauer!!! The story is so untrue anyway but justice will be served