Former Dunwoody Police Lt. Fidel Espinoza, the target of an investigation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) for conduct unbecoming of an officer and sexual harassment, surrendered nine officer certifications, including one that would allow him to act as an instructor.
The surrenders mean he can no longer be employed as a law enforcement officer in the state, according to POST officials.
A POST certification is a state-mandated license confirming a law enforcement officers has completed training, passed exams, and met minimum requirements to work. The POST Council also “has discretionary authority, by law, to discipline officers,” according to its website.
The POST investigation was opened on April 29, 2024, according to its deputy director Chris Harvey.
Sexual harassment allegations
In 2020, Espinoza was accused by multiple officers of bullying and sexual harassment. A 146-page internal investigation report found that Espinoza did send improper, sexual messages to officers and employees, but said that he did not harass or coerce them.
However, former officer Bryan Castellanos filed a lawsuit against Espinoza in the summer of 2020, alleging that the lieutenant repeatedly requested sexual favors from him and took a photo of Castellanos while he was using a urinal.
After a two-day civil trial that concluded on May 29, 2024, a jury awarded Castellanos $60,000 in compensatory damages and $120,000 in punitive damages.
POST investigation concludes
Rough Draft had received a tip in early April that the POST investigation had been completed, and followed up with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request shortly after.
A document received by Rough Draft on April 6 from POST, entitled “Probable Cause Committee Recommendation to Council,” which was attached to a form Espinoza signed to surrender his certifications, included an executive summary of the case.
It said that Dunwoody’s police department was served with an Ante Litem notice on April 29, 2020, “regarding sexual misconduct allegations” by his subordinates against the veteran officer. The summary noted that Espinoza resigned from the force on May 11, 2020.
“The agency conducted an investigation into the allegations,” the summary said. “The allegations were sustained by test messages, photographs, and courtroom testimony, under oath by the victim officers.”
“It was determined that Lieutenant Espinoza demanded sexual favors and graphic photographs from male officers in exchange for secondary employment opportunities and specialized positions, including federal task force assignments.”
The summary noted, “On May 29, 2024, a jury awarded one victim with a substantial settlement.”
The surrender document was signed by Espinoza on August 29, 2025, and the action took place on Sept. 8, 2025.
Of the nine certifications, two are associated with managerial and supervisory duties, two are specialized training certificates, two are associated with career development, one certified him to be a radar operator, and finally, one was a basic certificate for law enforcement.
Espinoza’s long career in enforcement
According to the documents obtained by Rough Draft, Espinoza had participated in almost 3,000 hours of training during his 30-year career that included stints with Carrollton, DeKalb, Doraville, and Dunwoody police departments.
It was noted without comment that Espinoza had been sanctioned on May 15, 1997, while he was employed at Carrollton, receiving a public reprimand and 24 months of probation.
This is not the end of the Espinoza scandal in Dunwoody, however. Litigation has been filed by former civilian transport officer Brian Bolden, who claims Espinoza bullied and sexually harassed him and falsely accused him of theft. Former officer Austin Handle has claimed he was fired after exposing Espinoza’s actions. Both cases are pending resolution.
Rough Draft has also requested the specific investigation files from POST and will update the story as more information is known.
