GBI Arrests Police Chief, Officer for Falsifying Records

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested two now-employees of the Fairmount Police Department.

On Friday, July 24, 2020, the GBI arrested Fairmount Police Chief Chandler Walter, 31, of Calhoun, and Fairmount Police Officer Olan Mark Lowe, 48, of Calhoun, and charged each with False Official Certificates and Writings by Officers.

According to the GBI, the Gordon County District Attorney requested the assistance of the GBI on June 11, 2020. The GBI Region 1 Calhoun office was asked to investigate allegations that Chief Walter and Officer Lowe had falsified Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) records and improperly used the GCIC/CJIS network during a test. The chief and officer were placed on administrative leave at the start of this investigation by the city.

Monday’s arrest was followed by the resignation by both Walter and Lowe and the city had removed Walter from the list of city officials as of Monday. They were both released on a $2,500 bond, according to the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.