Gwinnett Chairman Charles Bannister was arrested on Monday evening for Driving Under the Influence after a concerned citizen reported seeing him downing adult beverages at a Lilburn bar. Within hours of his arrest while driving a county vehicle, the calls for his resignation began. Likewise, the hint at a setup began with local media like WSB-AM radio.

The arrest raises a number of questions, but as to whether or not Bannister should resign, I say not. A DUI in a county vehicle definitely deserves some action, but a DUI pales in comparison to the other things that Bannister has done as Chairman that warrant his ouster. He should have already been gone.The arrest is probably pretty straightforward. As a former cop, I arrested dozens after a “concerned citizen” report. But who was the “concerned citizen”? An apolitical mom reporting somebody that she didn’t recognize or a political operative bent on bringing Bannister down?

We may never know who initiated the investigation of Bannister’s conduct. The arrest report probably won’t include the complainant’s name, simply because it wouldn’t be relevant– the arresting officer personally observed driving violations that warranted an investigative stop of Bannister. But there should be a VERY revealing 911 call. It will go far to revealing the caller’s motives.

There may not be a 911 call, however. It is very interesting to me that a Sheriff’s deputy made the arrest. The SO doesn’t provide patrol services; that would be the PD. The fact that a deputy was sent to stake out the restaurant is an indication that the complaint may not have come through normal channels like a 911 call.

I wonder if someone who recognized Bannister– knowing the animosity that the Sheriff and the Chairman apparently have toward each other– called the Sheriff directly, at which time he dispatched one of his guys instead of calling the PD?

What is the penalty for violating the law in a county vehicle… especially DUI? What would happen to any other county employee? Would their county car be taken away? Is there a standard policy or will the fact that the county has no meaningful ethics policy save Bannister’s driving privileges?

If I recall correctly, the Commission failed to act last year on a consultant’s recommendation to establish an ethics policy including a citizen panel to investigate violations.

Is Bannister an alcoholic? If the 911 call was legitimate, a drink or two with dinner in the company of others wouldn’t be noticed, but several drinks while sitting alone at the bar on a Monday evening could be an indication of a bigger problem. The arresting officer apparently had time to get in place to stake out the restaurant. That means that Bannister exhibited the signs of intoxication while still sitting at the bar.

As of this writing, Bannister has refused to comment on his arrest.

From Gwinnett County chair arrested for DUI  | ajc.com