Police chief denies impaired driving

GSU officer says he’s ‘looking forward to my day in court.’

In his first public comments since his arrest on a DUI charge this month, Georgia State University police Chief Joseph Spillane said he is “looking forward to my day in court” and does not feel he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Records show Fayetteville police stopped Spillane, 53, driving a 1992 Mazda Miata on Ga. 85 on June 18.

He was also charged with having an open container and failing to maintain a lane, the Fayette County Sheriff ’s Office said.

The university placed Spillane on paid administrative leave “pending the outcome of a university investigation,” Georgia State spokeswoman Andrea Jones said in a statement. “The university takes this matter very seriously. We understand the severity of the offense, especially when it is committed by a law enforcement officer.”

Spillane said, “I’m disappointed that this happened.”

He said he couldn’t go into specifics of that evening or answer questions about any alleged alcohol consumption. He has hired an attorney.

Spillane was a deputy chief with the Atlanta Police Department when he was named GSU’s police chief in October 2016.

The former chief had been removed after a double shooting and a handful of robberies on campus.

Spillane, who lives in Atlanta, has been out on $2,004 bond since the day of his arrest, according to records.

Maj. Brian Lawton, who has worked with GSU police since 2000, is acting as interim chief, Jones said.