Tyrone Police Officer David

Yates has unofficially been cleared by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation

inquiry into claims that he improperly strip-searched a teenager for drugs

back in October.

Yates was reinstated to active

duty several weeks ago, said Tyrone Police Chief Roger Spencer. But he

doesn't plan to be with Tyrone for much longer.

Last Monday, Yates submitted

his resignation so he could become police chief for the city of Luthersville,

Spencer said.

Yates has been a patrolman

with Tyrone for almost two years. He also has worked with agencies in

Newnan and Hapeville, Spencer added.

"We wish him the best

of luck," Spencer said.

Yates was reinstated after

the GBI and the district attorney's office told Spencer there would be

no criminal charges filed against the officer.

Spencer said Yates will not

be punished further since it was determined he followed standard operating

procedures while assisting a county sheriff's deputy with the situation.

The deputy had called for backup, Spencer added.

Yates was suspended from duty

with pay when the charges from 17-year-old Joey Skinner came to light.

Skinner claimed that after he had complied with an order to pull down

his pants and shorts, Yates yanked down his boxers without warning.

Skinner has said Yates told

him he smelled marijuana and asked him "Where's the dope?".

No charges were filed against

Skinner.

The incident took place on

Mann Road in the Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction though it was near

the Tyrone city limits, Spencer said.

It is not uncommon for Tyrone

officers and sheriff's deputies to assist each other when nearby, Spencer

said.

"Sometimes, there might

be only one deputy on the west side of the county and that guy needs help,"

Spencer said. Both agencies have a mutual aid agreement in place, the

chief added.

Sources told The Citizen that

Skinner failed to show up for several scheduled interviews with the GBI

about the allegations.