Ahmaud Arbery shooting: Ex-police officer charged with killing unarmed jogger had service weapon taken away
Gregory McMichael and his son Travis were arrested after a video of their confrontation with the unarmed runner sparked outrage.
Friday 15 May 2020 21:45, UK
An ex-police officer charged with killing an unarmed jogger lost his powers of arrest and had his service weapon taken away for failing to complete training, according to US media reports.
Gregory McMichael retired months after his law enforcement certification was suspended in 2019, ABC News reports.
The former police officer and his adult son Travis have been charged with the murder and aggravated assault of Ahmaud Arbery in February this year.
The 25-year-old had been jogging in Brunswick, Georgia, before he was shot dead.
However, no arrest was made until May when a 36-second clip sparked outrage after appearing to show the shooting.
The McMichaels were arrested and charged shortly after.
Details of the father's suspension have been outlined in personnel records which have been seen by ABC News.
The records are said to be from his time working in Glynn County, Georgia, as a police officer and investigator in the district attorney's office.
The documents reportedly show the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) issued McMichael a suspension order for "failure to maintain training for the year 2018".
He is then said to have lost his powers of arrest.
The ex-police officer's then boss District Attorney Jackie Johnson wrote in a "memorandum of understanding" that McMichael "will not engage in any activity that would be construed as being law enforcement in nature".
She added: "To that end, Mr McMichael will not carry a firearm or badge, nor will he operate any vehicle in the motor pool outfitted with lights, siren or police radio equipment."
The 64-year-old is said to have previously received a warning in 2014 after failing to finish mandatory firearms and use-of-force courses.
Ms Johnson wrote in a letter to the Georgia POST director that year: "This situation has been a great embarrassment to me and to Investigator McMichael.
"It has negatively impacted my office, and I have taken measures to ensure that it doesn't happen again."
The documents reportedly show McMichael repeatedly failed to complete training over the course of several years.
He is said to have asked for a training waiver at some point explaining that he had suffered a heart attack in 2006.
The former police officer is also said to have explained that he dealt with clinical depression for which he needed medical treatment.
McMichael and his wife reportedly filed for bankruptcy in 2009 "due to overwhelming medical bills from my surgeries as well as bills from my wife's cancer treatment".
He also stated they were having issues with his daughter that year and that he suffered a second heart attack.
McMichael is also said to have been suspended in 2006 for an undisclosed infraction.
He and his son are currently being held at the Glynn County Detention Centre.
Their attorneys Bob Rubin and Jason Sheffield said Thursday their clients have been vilified and cautioned against a rush to judgment in the case.
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McMichael said he and his son armed themselves and chased Mr Arbery in a pickup truck after seeing him run down their street, according to an incident report from Glynn County police.
The father told police he suspected Arbery was a burglar, and said he attacked Travis McMichael before he was shot in a struggle over the gun.
Arbery's mother told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she has confidence in the investigation.
She said she would like prosecutors to seek the death penalty.