Cobb County Police Officer Jonathan Downey is back on the job after his third suspension without pay in a seven-year career marked by repeated misconduct findings.

Disciplinary records, first reported by WSB-TV, show incidents that include improper Taser use on two people — one of them a domestic dispute victim who reportedly suffers from mental illness — an arrest a department letter called "not supported by criminal law" and leaving a home invasion scene where the victim reported being bound with duct tape and struck with a pistol. WSB-TV obtained the records through open records requests after receiving an anonymous tip.

Chief Dan Ferrell said in a written statement to WSB-TV that most disciplinary decisions involving Downey were made before he became chief. Ferrell said he would not accept discriminatory or disrespectful behavior in the department and has directed a review of policies, procedures and accountability measures. He added that he recently learned information he previously did not have, which prompted an evaluation of the department's disciplinary processes.

No timeline has been set for that review.

A supervisor wrote in a performance review that Downey's "decision-making is not consistent with policy, procedures and state law." The misconduct findings span three Cobb County police chiefs, according to WSB-TV's reporting.

Ferrell took over the department after former Chief Stuart VanHoozer retired in the spring of 2025. He was sworn in Oct. 28, 2025, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Commissioners, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Ferrell joined the department in 1996 as a patrol officer. 

Despite the disciplinary record, Downey's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification remains in good standing, according to state records reviewed by WSB-TV.

The Cobb County Police Department's Office of Professional Standards compiles annual summaries of complaints and investigations, available through the Georgia Open Records Act. Residents who want to file a complaint can contact the Department of Public Safety Internal Affairs Unit at (770) 528-3812 or email [email protected].