Cochran police chief suspended for absenteeism

COCHRAN - The police chief in this middle Georgia town spent last week on suspension after the mayor said he repeatedly missed work. <br> <br> Cochran Police Chief Robert Schmitz was suspended five days for chronic absenteeism. Mayor Charles Killebrew said he ordered the suspension after warning Schmitz several times about missing too much work. <br> <br> ``He&#39;s been on suspension for failing to comply with my instructions,&#39;&#39; Killebrew told The Macon Telegraph. <br> <br> Schmitz did not return a phone call to his house Friday. Schmitz earlier told the newspaper that he typically works at least 50 hours a week. <br> <br> Though other city department heads are not required to punch a time clock, the mayor said he has required Schmitz to do so because of concerns about his work habits. <br> <br> He said Schmitz is supposed to clock in before 8 a.m. and clock out after 5 p.m. Killebrew said Schmitz had violated that order on a number of occasions. <br> <br> ``When you have reports that someone is abusing it, then you have no other choice,&#39;&#39; Killebrew said. ``That don&#39;t set a good example for your other people.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Cochran is in Bleckley County, about 40 miles southeast of Macon.

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