Univ. police officer fired following Pita Pit arrest
UPDATE: The Athens Banner-Herald reported Wednesday that University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson fired David Matthew Hutsell Tuesday morning.
“I feel his actions were not becoming with the actions of what we expect of our officers either on duty or off duty,” Williamson told the Banner-Herald. “He clearly violated our standard operating procedures in regard to those matters.”
Athens-Clarke County Police arrested a University Police officer and charged him with public intoxication and criminal trespass after a restroom at the Pita Pit was damaged, police said.
A Pita Pit employee called ACC Police to report that a male damaged the men’s restroom early Sunday morning.
When an ACC officer arrived at the Pita Pit at 2:37 a.m., he asked David Matthew Hutsell for his ID and Hutsell handed over his University Police ID, according to the ACC Police report.
An employee told police he heard loud noises coming from the men’s restroom. When he opened the door, he found Hutsell standing in the restroom and the toilet tank lid was on the floor broken into several pieces, police said.
Trash was emptied all over the restroom and the hand towel dispenser was broken.
Hutsell smelled strongly of alcohol and his speech was slurred, police said.
University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said Hutsell was put on paid suspension Monday.
Williamson said he is still investigating the situation and determining what disciplinary action will be taken.


