2 Savannah PD officers fired after internal investigations into felon ties, policy violations

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Police fired officers Chela Johnson and Tania Marion in May following two separate internal investigations.

WTOC Investigates reviewed hundreds of documents and hours of interviews related to the cases. A police department leader stated in the investigations that ‘the actions of the former officers placed fellow officers at risk and compromised operational trust.’

Chela Johnson investigation

The file on Johnson’s investigation showed she knowingly communicated with a man on probation after his release from prison.

In an interview, Johnson was asked if she believed she violated policy.

“Do you think you violated the policy?” “Yes, I did.” “Which one?” “Associating with criminals.” “Okay, you kind of beat me to the punch. But why do you think you violated the policy in your own words?” “Because I was messing with someone who has been arrested for selling drugs.”

Per SPD policy, “Employees are required to be truthful at all times and shall not knowingly make false, misleading or incomplete statements in connection with any official duty or investigation. Employees shall not knowingly associate with persons engaged in criminal activity or maintain relationships with known criminals when such associations would be bring discredit to department or interfere with official duties.”

In another interview, Johnson confirmed rumors that she was dating the man were true.

“Rumors were going around that I was dating him.” “Okay. But those were true?” “Yes.”

Chela Johnson’s file documented multiple reprimands over the years.

Assistant Chief Robert Gavin and Chief Lenny Gunther confirmed they agreed to terminate Johnson following the investigation.

“Our core pillars of integrity and respect are undermined by Officer Johnson’s actions in this incident. Her conduct compromised operational trust and placed fellow officers at risk. This is the 2nd similar incident involving Officer Johnson, demonstrating a continued failure to recognize the seriousness of her actions and the potential danger they pose to others,” said Asst. Chief Robert Gavin in a statement as part of her file.

Johnson’s appeal

Johnson appealed her termination to the Civil Service Board. The board heard her side but upheld the firing.

WTOC Investigates reviewed details of the appeal, which confirmed contradicting statements from Johnson and noted she accessed a felon’s arrest report out of personal interest and expressed concern about her number being in his phone.

The appeal paperwork showed Johnson obtained personal information on a suspect and additional information through another officer, showing she used police systems without legitimate law enforcement purposes.

In an interview, Johnson was asked about the incident.

The IA Interviewer: “What we were told is he said--- ”well, run my name." And you told him you did not want that on your MDT. So you had another officer come and that officer took the ID.”

“I know what you’re talking about. I know exactly what you’re talking about now,” replied former officer Johnson.

WTOC Investigates found through documents that Johnson asked her roommate, Officer Tania Marion, to run that warrant search.

“But why did Officer Marion run his name for you?” “I may have asked her for a favor. We were roommates. So it wasn’t like a vindictive or, you know, malicious request. It was just like, hey, you know, do you mind running him? It wasn’t to get her in trouble, or else I wouldn’t have done it.”

Tania Marion investigation

Police fired Marion one month after Johnson. Marion’s file showed she also maintained a personal relationship with the same convicted felon as Johnson and with another separate convicted felon.

The file noted Marion bonded a convicted felon out of the Chatham County jail.

In an interview, Marion described what happened after the bond.

“When you bonded him out, did you give him a ride?” “I sure did.” “OK. And where did you take him afterwards?” “I took him out to 38th and Bullock.” “And whose car did you use?” “I used her husband’s.” “OK. Chela’s husband’s car?” “Mmhmm.”

A review of Marion’s file revealed texts that were screenshots and included in the file-- showing a personal relationship, along with threats to bring an officer to their neighborhood, demands for payback, derogatory language, and references to the man’s probation status.

Marion described her involvement after Johnson came under investigation.

“She literally told me she’s under investigation and that she can’t talk to him. And I told her, don’t worry about it. Give me his number. I’ll talk to him.”

Marion also described warning her roomate, Johnson, about the relationship.

“I have on several occasions, you know, that it’s not the best. Y’all probably should not be together. It’s not good. You’re a cop and he’s an ex-drug dealer. It’s not just a good combination.” “What was her response?” “We love each other.”

Marion said she was not concerned about the relationship personally.

“Like, I didn’t care.” “You didn’t care whether or not you...” “Yeah, I really didn’t care.” “OK. Why you didn’t care?” “Because I just don’t, I don’t know any other answer besides I don’t.”

Department leaders found Marion’s conduct, like Johnson’s, reflected negatively on the department and undermined its public trust and confidence in the community.

Marion was also asked about the men’s activities she communicated with.

“By knowing the history there, I can kind of take a shot in the dark of what he probably does. But again, I don’t.” “And what’s that?” “Probably selling dope.” “I mean, so you’re saying you didn’t know they sold dope?” “I don’t care to ask.” “Why wouldn’t you care to ask?” “Why would I?” “Because you just said that they’re probably selling dope.” “Don’t you think that’s kind of bad?” “Yeah, I know this.” “So why would you talk to somebody that lives in that area and that somebody that possibly sells dope?” “Is that a problem?” “You don’t think that’s a problem?” “I mean, I’m not going to stop seeing someone that I like because of what they do.” “OK. So just because they sell dope, I don’t care that they sell dope. I like them.” “I mean, yeah, it’s a problem.” “You just said it wasn’t, though.” “No. To me, again, to me, I don’t care.” “But to everyone else, yes, it is a problem that they’re probably selling dope. It is a problem.” “OK.”

Marion’s next job

Marion did not appeal her termination to the Civil Service Board. Reports in her POST file show she was hired by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office two months later.

WTOC reached out to the Sheriff’s Office to ask about the hiring of Tania Marion. Sheriff Coleman said Marion was in good standing with POST at the time she was hired.