Rome Police Officer Arrested for Hit and Run of Small Child

On December 19, 2018 the Rome Police Department received information that a possible hit and run accident resulting in an injury to a three-year-old child had occurred at the Kid Stop at 1700 Dean Avenue. The accident was reported to have occurred on Monday, December 17, 2018 at about 5:15pm. Follow up resulted in identifying Rome Police Lieutenant Richard Penson as a possible suspect in this incident. Penson was not on duty at the time of the accident and was not taking any action as a police officer. He was driving his personally owned vehicle.

Due to the nature of the incident and Penson’s employment with the Rome Police Department the Georgia State Patrol was requested to conduct the accident investigation.

At the conclusion of the investigation the Georgia State Patrol conferred with the District Attorney’s Office regarding potential charges. Warrants were issued for Richard Penson for the following charges:

          Reckless Driving (misdemeanor)

          Hit and Run (misdemeanor)

          Cruelty to Children 2^nd Degree (felony)

Penson turned himself in to the Floyd County Jail December 28, 2018. Due to the criminal charges Penson’s employment with the Rome Police Department has been separated.

No further information is available at this time from the Rome Police Department. The Georgia State Patrol is the investigating agency.