##  [Citizen Report No. 1727989466 - 1624816666](/citizen-report-no-1727989466-1624816666) 

  [![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_500_x_500_/public/2024-10/GY4Cra_WwAANEeK.jpeg?itok=3IxVCZeO)](/individual/lakea-%20gaither)Lakea Gaither

 









 

 



 

 

**[Atlanta Police Department](/georgia/atlanta-police-department)**

226 Peachtree Street SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

[(404) 614-6544](tel:%28404%29614-6544)



[https://www.atlanta…](https://www.atlantapd.org)





 

 



 

 

 [![Atlanta Police Department](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2021-09/download%20-%202021-09-28T144158.966%20%281%29.jpg?itok=VRCXELIq)](/georgia/atlanta-police-department)





 

 



 

 

 





## Date of Offense

Date Not Provided





 

 



 

 

## Offense(s)

[Misconduct](/duty/misconduct)





[Conduct Unbecoming](/duty-adjacent/conduct-unbecoming)





 

 



 

 

 







 

 

## Supporting Document(s)

 [Deep Concern Regarding the Hiring of Lakea Gaither](/sites/default/files/2024-10/GY_Kj5GW8AAg1FK.jpeg "GY_Kj5GW8AAg1FK.jpeg")

 

 

 

## Statement

Detective Lakea Gaither, a former gang investigator with the Atlanta Police Department, played a controversial role in the YSL RICO case. She was called to testify about her experience with gang activity in Atlanta, but her testimony and professional conduct came under heavy scrutiny.

Several ethical concerns arose during her involvement in the case. Notably, Gaither testified that she avoided responding to 911 calls and instead preferred patrolling high-crime areas, hoping to make arrests. This admission suggested a questionable attitude toward law enforcement priorities, where she prioritized potential gang-related arrests over direct emergency response, a responsibility fundamental to her role.

Additionally, defense attorneys raised concerns about her lack of thorough investigative processes, implying that she may have exhibited biases or failed to follow best practices. This has led to accusations of unethical behavior, contributing to the overall complexity and contentiousness of the YSL trial.



 

 

 

 





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 [![United States Citizen Reporters](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2021-08/1186px-Scales_of_Justice_and_Wreath.svg_.png?itok=QQ8wLoSk "United States Citizen Reporters")](/united-states/us-citizen-reporters)





 

 



 

 

The US Citizen Reporters are a group of public and private defense advocates that scour the internet for documented incidents of police misconduct that have eluded accountability.





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