THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich responded to a Cherokee Lake Park sex offense that resulted in the suspect being referred to treatment.

Rich was traveling within a few blocks of the Covington Avenue park at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday when he heard the call and responded.

The complainant, who was in the rose garden, told the chief a man sitting on a picnic table in a pavilion exposed his penis. When the complainant approached the man, the suspect suggested the complainant perform an inappropriate act, according to reports.

Rich said an officer at the scene recognized the suspect from a similar incident that took place three months ago in the park.

The suspect admitted exposing himself, Rich said.

“He was calm, cooperative. He was not aggressive,” the chief said.

An officer at the scene who recently completed crisis intervention training said treatment, not an arrest, was the best option. The suspect was transported to the crisis center.

Rich, chief for three years, joined Thomasville Police Department 27 years ago.

“I still respond. When I hear calls, I respond,” he said.

Rich said anyone seeing inappropriate activity in the park should call 911 immediately.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820