Atlanta police officers will soon receive daily instructions on how to treat gay men and lesbians, following an incident in Piedmont Park last month during which an officer allegedly arrested a group of gay men and chastised them as “faggots” and “cockroaches.”

“I am currently in the process of writing a training document that will be read at each and every roll call to all officers by their respective supervisors,” Sgt. Connie Locke, the Atlanta Police Department’s gay liaison, said in a written response to questions from Southern Voice.

Each officer will also be given a copy of the policy and asked to sign a statement that they received and understood it, Locke said.

“It is understood, that when the subject of homosexuality is discussed, every person, officer or citizen, embraces his or her own morals, values and strong feelings — either positive or negative,” she said.

“However, as an Atlanta Police officer those particular values and judgments must never have any bearing on how we serve our community,” Locke added.

Atlanta police are conducting an internal investigation into allegations against Officer L. Smith, one of the officers involved in the April 21 arrests in Piedmont Park. Police officials declined comment on whether any other officers are also being investigated, or what possible sanctions Smith could face. The department has refused to fully identify Smith or other officers that were involved in the arrests.

Internal investigations are usually complete within 90 days, but may take longer depending on certain factors such as locating witnesses, said Lt. M. Hendricks, a spokesperson for the department’s Office of Professional Standards, which is conducting the investigation.

Smith continues to patrol Midtown pending the outcome of the inquiry, according to Major Lane Hagin, commander of Zone 5, which includes Piedmont Park.

Atlanta City Council member Anne Fauver, the council’s only openly gay member, represents District 6, which includes Piedmont Park. Fauver said she believes the accusations against Smith are true and he should be disciplined.

It is routine for officers to remain on duty until an investigation is complete, but Smith should no longer be patrolling Piedmont Park, Fauver said.

“I have a great deal of respect for the leadership in Zone 5, but certainly until this investigation is finished, I don’t think he should be involved in any of the park patrols,” Fauver said. “I don’t think he should be anywhere near the park.”

Police officials declined comment on the specific areas Smith is patrolling.

Mayor Shirley Franklin’s office was contacted for a comment on the city’s investigation into the arrests, but did not respond to interview requests by press time.

Court dates
The gay men who filed a complaint against Smith are scheduled to be in court on May 12 and May 13 to face charges that they violated a city ordinance that prohibits use of public parks between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The men said they were walking through Piedmont Park on April 21 around 2 a.m., after spending the evening at two different bars in Midtown, and were unaware of the park hours.

Violating a city ordinance is less severe than a misdemeanor, and is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000, a maximum of 180 days in jail, or both, according to Atlanta City Solicitor Raines Cater.

But some of the men, who were allegedly detained by Smith for more than three hours on a parking lot curb before being incarcerated for another seven hours in the Atlanta City Jail, said they’ve already paid their dues.

“People say there’s a law and we should be punished for breaking it, which I agree with, but I think, honestly, the night we spent in jail should be our punishment,” said Ronnie Mickle, one of the six gay men who filed a complaint with APD.

“If we were a burden to society, or a debt to society, I think we’ve already paid for it with the treatment we received,” he said.

Mickle said he hopes the worst he will receive is a small fine, but added that he has retained a lawyer over concerns that he was ensnared in an effort to crackdown on crimes associated with cruising in the park.

Trent Aldridge and his partner, Bryan Long, who were both arrested by Smith, are planning on pleading no contest at their May 13 hearing, Aldridge said.

“From the lawyers ...

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