VARNELL, Ga. — Varnell Police Department Sgt. Pat Hayes resigned on July 10 after an investigation was launched by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) into an allegation concerning his “inappropriately touching” a female. 

“I am fully cooperating, but can’t comment any more on an ongoing investigation,” Hayes said when reached Thursday afternoon.

Varnell City Manager Mike Brown confirmed Hayes’ resignation. He said Hayes was placed on unpaid administrative leave on July 6 when Chief Lyle Grant was informed of the allegation. Brown said Hayes “resigned in lieu of termination” on July 10. An incident report written by Grant said at a meeting of Mayor Tom Dickson, Brown and Grant on July 9 the decision was made to fire Hayes for “conduct unbecoming of an officer.”

The incident report said Hayes was accused of “inappropriately touching” a female as she was getting into her vehicle at the Circle K at 3901 Cleveland Highway. The report said Grant and Deputy Chief Greg Fowler reviewed the surveillance video at the store and “found that the complaint was substantiated and Officer Hayes did touch the female victim inappropriately.”

GBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Ramey of the bureau’s Calhoun office said the incident was referred to the GBI by Grant. 

“Basically, an officer apparently made some inappropriate contact between himself and a female complainant,” Ramey said. “We are basically through with it and will be turning it (the investigation) over to the district attorney’s office and it will be in their hands.” 

Grant was out of the office on Thursday and did not immediately return a phone message. Phone messages left for District Attorney Bert Poston were not immediately returned Thursday. 

Hayes had been a member of the police force in Varnell for 11 years.