An officer of the Commerce Police Department has been put on "administrative leave" pending a Georgia Bureau of Investigation allegation that he raped a woman in Banks County.
Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman and chief investigator Kyle Bryant confirmed their office was contacted about a rape charge. Since the allegation involved a law enforcement officer, they turned the investigation over to the GBI.
Commerce Police Chief John Gaissert confirmed that Cpl. Cameron Boswell was placed on administrative leave May 19. He continues to be paid.
"I cannot comment on an allegation of wrongdoing by an officer or an incident in another jurisdiction," said Gaissert. "We will evaluate the facts and circumstances of the allegations pending the conclusion of any investigation."
Boswell, who is the department's drug dog handler, has not been arrested. He resides in Banks County.
Without Boswell, the department cannot use its drug dog, since the dogs are used strictly by assigned their handlers, according to Gaissert. However, other local jurisdictions have drug dogs if the need arises.
"We have some alternate resources," Gaissert commented. "Jackson County has a drug dog and Banks County has a drug dog."
