A police chief in Georgia was arrested mere hours after he announced his retirement from the force he served for over two decades, for allegedly misusing his department’s technology to stalk and harass people.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Braselton Police Chief Michael Steffman, 49, on Wednesday following a months-long probe completed at the behest of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, according to a press release.
That same morning, town officials shared that Steffman had resigned and retired from the department for “personal reasons,” and the Braselton Police Department’s captain was immediately named interim chief, according to a post shared on the town website.
On Nov. 14, Braselton Mayor Jennifer Scott and the town council all honored Steffman for his two decades of service. He was named the chief of police in May 2025, according to his LinkedIn.
Steffman was charged with violating his oath of office, stalking, harassment and several counts of misusing the department’s automated license plate recognition system.
He was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Jackson County Jail, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, though he wasn’t listed in its public records.
Scott said that the entire town was “disappointed by the circumstances.”
“At the same time, we appreciate that these matters require the former Chief’s full personal attention and appreciate his years of service. As we look ahead, our priority remains ensuring the safety and protection of our citizens and maintaining the strong level of public service our community expects,” she said in a statement obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta.
The investigation into Steffman’s alleged misconduct is still open, the bureau said. Officials explained that they aren’t exactly sure how many victims may have been involved.
They did not release details on who the former chief was allegedly stalking and harassing.
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