Atlanta Police spokesperson Sgt. John Chafee claimed Wednesday that suggestions that multiple officers from each of the department's zones had walked off the job were "inaccurate” but that "the department is experiencing a higher than usual number of call outs with the incoming shift."
APD's statement comes as rumors grow online about reports of officers walking out of certain zones and officers not answering the radio. 11Alive has also received numerous calls and tips from viewers about the rumors, but police said they aren't accurate.
NBC News producer Charlie Gile tweeted that Police Union Representive Vince Champion commented on the claims.
NEW: ATL Police Union spokeman Vince Champion tells me that officers around the city are protesting the charges announced against officers Rolfe and Brosnan. He says they're walking off the job, not responding to calls unless backup is needed, and going silent on the radios.
— Charlie Gile (@CharlieGileNBC) June 18, 2020
Chief Investigator at Atlanta's WXIA Brendan Keefe tweeted about the periods of radio silence Wednesday evening.
I've been listening to Zone 6 Atlanta Police radio traffic for the last hour. There are 15 - 20 minute periods of absolute silence amid reports of officer walkouts. This clip was shared with @CherylPreheim by a police source. It's from Zone 3. The code 69 is Person With a Gun. pic.twitter.com/hkmbC5VF0Q
— Brendan Keefe (@BrendanKeefe) June 18, 2020
The actions come after Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced fired Atlanta Police Officer Garret Rolfe is charged with murder in connection to the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks, who was killed during an encounter with police at a Wendy's restaurant on Friday night.