Special to the Effingham Herald
Guyton – The Guyton Police Department reported on April 27 that it has completed its internal affairs investigation into Officer Don Williams. The Internal Affairs investigation revealed that the recent allegations against Officer Williams are unfounded and inconclusive. In accordance with department standard operating procedure, Officer Williams was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 17 and brought back on Jan. 21.
The internal investigation was prompted regarding the officer’s alleged inappropriate social media posts and accusations of taking too long to respond to a call.
Guyton Police Chief James Breletic wanted to clarify that the initial reports on local TV were incorrect stating that Officer Williams had been suspended. “He was not suspended. He was put on administrative leave with pay,” Breletic told the Herald on April 28.
As for the allegations of taken too long to respond to a call “because he was on TikTok,” Breletic told the Herald that allegation “was completely untrue.” Officer Williams was off-duty when the call came in, responded appropriately, and worked all through late Dec. 24 through Dec. 25, 2022.
New policies are in place for the entire department after some posts on Officer Williams’ social media accounts were brought to the department’s attention. In November 2022, Officer Williams was counseled regarding those posts that at the time did not violate policy, but were deemed inappropriate.
The verbal counseling was added to Officer Williams’ file in written form on Nov. 1, 2022, by Chief Breletic.
“It would suit me fine if you completely refrain from on-duty social media activity,” Breletic told Officer Williams. Breletic later admitted that the entire situation was a learning experience. “Our goal is transparency, regardless of the allegations from outside sources, however, investigations take time,” he added.
A new General Order is now in place for all Guyton Police Department employees that prohibits all social media posts both on and off duty. The policy prohibits posts depicting uniforms, insignia, patches, badges, camera systems, bulletproof vests, firearms, vehicles, radio(s) or any city-issued equipment.
“The officer is good officer. He has a lot of followers on TikTok. He may have made some indiscretions, but he’s a good officer,” Breletic said. “And we have policies in place as of March 1, because it took the city attorney a while to look through them.”
Chief Breletic added that his new social media policy is the strictest one around. “No officer is allowed to post any social media — on duty or off duty — with any city-issued equipment, police car, vests, shirts, guns, badges — no city-issued equipment whatsoever.”
According to the release, all Guyton Police Department officers will complete annual social media training and all officers’ social media accounts will be reviewed monthly. Noncompliance with the new General Order will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Chief Breletic added that the entire Internal Affairs file is available upon request.