DeKalb County Sheriff Mann taking self-imposed suspension

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann said he will take a self-imposed suspension starting this weekend. 

In a memo to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, Mann said he is disciplining himself for one week due to "conduct unbecoming."

Mann was arrested earlier this month and is accused of exposing himself at Piedmont Park, then allegedly running from an Atlanta police officer. 

Mann said he will donate one week of pay to charity. His suspension starts this Sunday. 

Read the entire memo below:

"Each day I ask the employees of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office to perform in public and in private at the highest professional standards.  Being in law enforcement, I know we are called to be model citizens and to remain mindful of keeping the public trust.  As such, I cannot ask my employees to abide by a code of conduct unless I am willing to subject myself to it as well.  In fact, I must be held to an even higher standard than my employees as it relates to our Code of Conduct policy and schedule of penalties.  As a dedicated public servant for nearly 25 years, I know the importance of serving with integrity.  It is for this reason that I am imposing upon myself discipline under our Code. 

I am disciplining myself for “conduct unbecoming,” specifically the provision defined as “engaging in conduct on or off duty which has a tendency to destroy public respect for the employee and/or the DKSO and/or destroy confidence in the operations of the County service is conduct unbecoming and is prohibited.”  This self-imposed discipline should not be construed to suggest or imply guilt of the Atlanta municipal ordinance charges alleged.  I will continue to vigorously defend myself as it relates to the charges.  However, the mere fact of placing myself in a position to be arrested is sufficient reason for this self-imposed discipline.  I cannot, in good faith, fail to take responsibility for the negative and unwanted criticism brought to this great agency and the County, and I apologize to each of you.  You deserve a leader who takes responsibility for his actions.

While the schedule of penalty for this infraction (first instance) is written counseling, in my case, I am imposing the maximum time of one week’s suspension.  My suspension will be effective Saturday, May 27, 2017 through Sunday, June 4, 2017.

I will donate the equivalent of one week’s pay to a charity or charities to be determined in the very near future.

I am committed to remaining your Sheriff and restoring your trust in me."  

MORE: Gov. Deal orders investigation into DeKalb sheriff's arrest