SAVANNAH, Ga. () — An 18-page lawsuit initiated by SCCPSS Sgt. Carl Quarterman outlines claims of corruption within the SCCPSS police department, along with retaliatory measures allegedly taken against him by Chatham County and the Savannah Chatham County public school system. This reportedly occurred after Quarterman disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor and a school resource officer.
In the lawsuit – Quarterman says he reported the allegations against a lieutenant school resource officer involving two high school girls.
Sgt. Quarterman asserts that the alleged victim is the sister of another SCCPSS officer and claims she was abused by an SCCPSS lieutenant while she was still a student and a minor.
Despite Quarterman bringing these accusations to Chief Terry Enoch’s attention, the chief purportedly allowed the lieutenant to continue working with high school girls and postponed launching an investigation.
Once the investigation did start, quarterman claims that chief enoch used in house biased investigators, intimidated witnessess and delayed suspending the accused lieutenant.
When quarterman made sccpss superintendent denise watts aware of the allegations. Watts allegedly scolded quarterman for escalating the report to her and breaking the chain of command.
Enoch demoted quarterman – cut his pay – and moved him to night shift.
The lawsuit claims it’s sccpss standard practice to place the accused employees on administrative leave with pay or in a temporary role where interaction with students is minimized pending the investigation. While this had gone on with other officers – this did not happen with the accused lieutenant.
The suit states that multiple ethics and other employee complaints against chief enoch have been redirected by the superintendent and human resources back to enoch, giving him discretion to dispose of any complaints against him, however he chooses.
We reached out to SCCPSS and here’s the statement they have regarding the investigation
“We are aware of the matters at hand. Every SCCPSS employee is expected to operate with integrity and professionalism and to follow established policies that uphold our commitment to accountability. We fully support any staff member who seeks to report improper behavior, and we strive to create working conditions that provide the proper channels for reporting. As there is pending litigation associated with this matter, there is no further comment beyond the school district’s formal pleadings in the case.”
Quarterman claims the accused lieutenant was allowed to resign the day after Sgt. Quarterman sent his letter to the superintendent, and the investigation was dropped with no consequences to him.
We will keep you updated as this makes its way through court.
