A Georgia police sergeant has resigned after being arrested on charges including first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault and family-violence assault, just weeks after being promoted.
Shada Canzater, 35, was arrested on August 31 by deputies from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, according to local reports. The allegations relate to an incident in Houston County, Georgia, although officials have not released details of what is said to have happened.
Hapeville Police Chief Bruce M Hedley confirmed on Thursday, September 10, that Canzater had resigned from the department. Her departure came shortly after the force publicly celebrated her promotion to sergeant.
In a post published on August 5, the Hapeville Police Department congratulated Canzater and two other officers on their promotions.
“These promotions represent their dedication, hard work, commitment to professional growth and the trust they have earned from their fellow officers and our community,” Chief Hedley said at the time.
He added: “Leadership is more than a title, it is a commitment to serve, mentor and set the example for others.”
Canzater had worked for the Hapeville Police Department since May 2019 and had been promoted twice, according to records from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council obtained by 11Alive.
The charges against her are first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault and simple assault involving family violence. She has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Hapeville is a city in the Atlanta metropolitan area, close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Before her resignation, Canzater served in a community engagement and traffic role and acted as a department spokesperson.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Hapeville Police Department have not publicly outlined the circumstances leading to the arrest.
