Atlanta Committee To Subpoena APD Officers in Eagle Raid

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – In a case that may also determine if Atlanta's Citizens Review Board will have an impact, a city council committee today voted to issue subpoenas to 18 Atlanta police officers who raided a midtown gay bar last September.

The committee on council voted after hearing testimony from the officers' legal advocacy group and from the review board. Its executive director, Christina Beamud, says the board has been trying to get to bottom of complaints made against the officers in the raid.

The APD said the raid came after it received complaints alleging criminal activity inside the bar on Ponce De Leon Avenue. However, Beamud says patrons told her they heard cops making anti-gay comments.

"They also claimed that they didn't do anything wrong and they were held on the floor and had their pockets searched. Those are the allegations we're investigating," said Beamud. "In order to do that, we need to understand what the officers did and why they did it."

Beamud argued the subpoenas as necessary because officers aren't complying with the board's investigation. However, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, a police advocacy group, argues the subpoenas violate the officer's 5th amendment rights. The Association's staff attorney, Grady K. Dukes, says the review board has the right to investigate but doesn't have the right to discipline officers. Dukes says that responsibility lies with Atlanta's police chief.

"The CRB can't terminate somebody. So, how can you force them to make a statement?"
questioned Dukes.

The police department has been conducting an internal investigation. In the end, the committee on council approved the subpoenas and will issue them.

The vote pleased council member Alex Wan. Wan, Atlanta's openly gay council member who is on the committee, says the issue has dragged out far too long. However, council member Cleta Winslow, who is also on the committee, urged Atlanta Eagle supporters to understand officers have the right not to talk.

No date for the subpoenas was scheduled at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Eagle raid has also triggered a civil case against the city.