An off-duty DeKalb County police detective was arrested in Atlanta on Sunday after he allegedly hit a pedestrian while driving under the influence of drugs.
The pedestrian was not seriously injured when the officer, identified as Justin Hamilton, left the roadway in the area of Northside Drive and I-75 and ran up on a sidewalk, according to Atlanta police. Hamilton remained on scene until officers responded around 1:30 p.m.
Atlanta police said the pedestrian complained of leg pain and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Officers conducted a field sobriety test, and Hamilton was arrested on a charge of DUI and reckless driving. He was also taken to Grady, where he is being detained.
Atlanta police have not said what drugs he was suspected of taking.
DeKalb County police spokesman J.D. Spencer confirmed to Channel 2 Action News the officer is employed with the department.
“He was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time of the arrest,” Spencer said in a statement. “Per DeKalb County Police protocol and procedures, Detective Hamilton has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.”
Hamilton started with DeKalb police in May 2017, according to Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training records. It is his first job in Georgia law enforcement.
Hamilton has no previous history of sanctions with POST, which sets training standards and serves as a regulatory body for police officers.
— AJC data specialist Jennifer Peebles contributed to this article.
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