Staff reports

Carlos Petiote, the Chatham County deputy arrested during a traffic stop July 5 by Rincon PD, has been terminated by Chatham County Sheriff Office.

In a statement, the CCSO said, “Carlos Petiote has been terminated from his position with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). This action follows the findings from an investigation conducted by the CCSO Office of Professional Standards into his arrest by the Rincon Police Department on July 5 for violating policy ‘Employee Conduct – General’.”

Petiote’s file has been turned over to Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council for review.

According to Petiote’s POST file, he has been employed by the Chatham County Sheriff Office since June 2017 and has been promoted twice. His most recent promotion was to sergeant in March 2023.

During the traffic stop July 5, body camera footage shows a confrontation between Petiote and Rincon PD officers. Petiote was initially pulled over for violating Georgia’s “move over” law.

In a statement released July 8, the City of Rincon confirmed that Rincon PD officers showed restraint and patience during the incident and Petiote was arrested for obstruction. He was taken to Effingham County Jail where he later was released after posting bond.