APD Officer in Botched Eagle Raid Charged with DUI, Marijuana Possession

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA –

Note: This updated version includes more details, sound. The original text of the story is below.

The Atlanta Police Department has suspended vice officer Bennie E. Bridges with pay after he was arrested on charges of DUI, speeding, and possession of marijuana (less than one ounce).

APD spokeswoman Off. Kimberly Maggart confirms Bridges was driving an unmarked, city-owned vehicle at the time of his arrest Thursday.

The Cobb County Sheriff's Department arrested Bridges at I-285 East and Cobb Pkwy., and released him on bond a few hours later.

A statement from APD says the "matter has been referred to the Department's Office of Professional Standards for investigation," and that "further comment" would be "inappropriate."

Bridges was the lead investigator in the botched 2009 raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a Midtown gay bar.

The City of Atlanta recently settled a $1.025-million lawsuit stemming from that raid.

[Original story]
The lead officer in the botched 2009 Atlanta Eagle raid has been arrested and charged with DUI, speeding in excess of 100 miles-per-hour, and possession of marijuana.

Atlanta Police Officer Bennie Bridges was taken to the Cobb County Jail Thursday and soon released on bond.

Off. Bridges remains on paid leave.

In an E-mailed statement, APD pokeswoman Kimberly Maggart said the matter has been referred to the department's Office of Professional Standards for investigation.

That office has yet to release its findings over complaints made against officers nearly a year-and-a-half ago.