MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Milledgeville Police Chief Dray Swicord is suspended for two weeks without pay and will face other disciplinary action following his recent arrest under suspicion of driving under the influence.  

Swicord was arrested a little more than three weeks ago in neighboring Wilkinson County and had been placed on administrative leave with pay. 

At that time, he knew nothing about the fate of his job.

Such uncertainty about his employment with the city of Milledgeville was made a little clearer Wednesday afternoon when City Manager Barry Jarrett indicated that Swicord would keep his job. He also made six points about the disciplinary action he took against Swicord, whom he appointed as police chief several years ago.

The biggest of those disciplinary actions involves a two-week suspension without pay, effective Saturday.

The 52-year-old Swicord, who has worked for the Milledgeville Police Department since 1986, has been on administrative leave with pay since notifying Jarrett of his arrest Aug. 18.

Once Swicord returns from his two-week suspension, he will begin receiving a 5 percent reduction in his salary for a period of six months, according to the disciplinary action handed down by Jarrett.

Swicord will also be required to successfully complete the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services DUI Alcohol Reduction Program at his own expense.

In addition, Swicord must successfully complete all terms and conditions of the 24-month probation imposed upon him by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.). Any and all expenses associated with the state agency’s probation will be the police chief’s responsibility, the city manager said in the press release.

“With respect to Chief Swicord’s pending DUI charge, in the event Chief Swicord enters a guilty plea or is found guilty of DUI, first offense, or any lesser charge, he must successfully complete all terms and conditions of any penalties/punishment imposed upon him by the court with any and all expenses associated with his plea or conviction to be Chief Swicord’s personal responsibility,” Jarrett said.

The city manager also said he had informed Swicord that he reserves the right to review this matter in the future and to impose additional disciplinary sanctions against him after final disposition of his court case.

“As city manager, one of my primary goals is to hire a team of professionals whose common goal is to ensure that Milledgeville, Georgia is recognized and distinguished as one of the best cities in America,” Jarrett said via press release.

One of those common goals is to act as ambassadors to promote the city of Milledgeville in the best possible manner, he added.

“This is my expectation of all city employees,” Jarrett said. “The success and well-being of the city requires that each employee understand their responsibility as members of this team. I expect all city department heads to lead by example, and to act diligently to protect the city’s reputation, image, and integrity. When Chief Swicord returns to duty after serving his two-week suspension, I expect him to lead the Milledgeville Police Department with the same dedication, effort and resolve, as he has brought to the position from the first day that I appointed him chief of police.”

Swicord is to be arraigned on the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol/less safe in Wilkinson County Probate Court on Nov. 8.

Since his arrest, neither he nor his attorney, Carl Cansino, of Milledgeville, have made any public statements.